How To Stay Out Of Trouble While Hunting In Montana
Hunting season is officially upon us, and outdoorsmen throughout Montana will be hitting the countryside for the 2024 hunting season, which kicks off on October 26th.
Familiarizing yourself with regulations and rules is necessary if you plan to hunt here in the Treasure State.
Related: Major Changes Announced For Popular Hunting Area In Montana
Montana Hunting Regulation Changes
In Montana regions six and seven, antlerless mule deer hunting is only permitted on private land.
This also includes mule deer B licenses for a particular hunting district and general deer licenses, where mule deer doe harvest with a general tag is allowed.
It’s important to note that private lands enrolled in Block Management are open to these opportunities if the landowner allows them.
NO mule deer doe harvest is allowed in hunting districts 621 and 622.
Common Hunting Mistakes In Montana
The last thing we want to do when hunting in Montana is break the law.
Over the years, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has come across a few common mistakes that outdoorsmen tend to make.
TRESPASSING
- Permission is necessary if you are hunting on private land.
- In Montana, there is no requirement that land be marked private.
- Permission is required on all private land.
SHOOTING FROM ROADS
- According to Montana state law, shooting on, from, or across any public road or right of way is illegal.
- The right away includes areas between the fence and the road.
- This area is often referred to as the shoulder or the burrow pit.
SUNRISE-SUNSET
- Know the sunrise and sunset times.
- Hunting 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunset is legal.
- You should use the sunrise and sunset tables supplied by Montana FWP, not the times shown on a cell phone or watch.
VALIDATING YOUR TAG
- Tag your game immediately after harvesting.
- New last year, a validated tag does not need to be attached to the animal; however, it needs to be accompanying the carcass.
- If you are using an ET tag, make sure to download it before hunting in case you lose cell service.
TAG YOUR OWN
- You can't use your tag on someone else's animal.
- Transferring a license to a spouse or family member is illegal in Montana.
DRIVING
- Only travel on established roads.
- On all public lands, you must stay on the road.
- When hunting on private land, drive only where the landowner allows.
CHECK STATIONS
- Whether or not you have harvested game, you are required to stop at a check station.
- If you do not stop, this may result in a ticket.
EVIDENCE OF SEX
- Evidence of the animal's sex must be retained with the carcass.
- An either-sex license, such as a general deer license, does not require proof of sex.
- The proof of sex does not need to be attached to the carcass.
CARCASS DISPOSAL
- Leave animal parts at the kill site or dispose in a class 2 landfill after processing to help prevent chronic wasting disease.
- It is illegal to dump carcass parts on public land away from the kill site.
HUNTER ORANGE
- Big game hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter's orange above their waist.
- This orange must be visible from all side sides.
- Remember that binoculars or backpacks may block out some of the orange.
- Hunters orange is not required for bird hunters but is recommended.
Obviously, mistakes happen, and if one does, contact a Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks game warden or go to www.tipmont.mt.gov and follow their instructions.
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