Montana Hunting License - Steps to Buy Your MT License & Tags

David Harrison  ·  Updated on July 24, 2025

Hunting LicenseGuidesHunter EducationLegalHunter Safety
montana hunting license

Montana law is clear, hunter education is required for anyone born after January 1, 1985, or hunter apprenticeship for anyone 10 or older.

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Montana hunting license:


MT Hunter Education Certification

 

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Montana. The first 2 are offered through the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks, while the third, through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & will get you certified in all 50 U.S. states.

  1. Complete an in-person course through the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Typically, you will need to register for these months in advance; therefore, plan accordingly if you wish to pursue the in-person option.  
  2. An online course offered through a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks exclusive partner, if you're over 18. These courses will require you to read through the content and watch some videos.
  3. Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks website states that "To purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license, any person born after January 1, 1985, must provide proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course issued by Montana, any other state, or any Canadian province." 

 

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA-approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in Montana).

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 U.S. states (including Montana), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or U.S. territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.


Select Your MT Hunting License

Montana offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, hunting preferences, and preference points.

Montana residents and non-residents ages 11 to 17 may be eligible for reduced-price licenses.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:​

Resident Licenses

A resident is an individual who has resided in Montana for at least 180 consecutive days. Active-duty military members stationed in Montana are considered residents. All Montana residents age 11 or older must have the Base Hunting License and the Conservation License as prerequisites when purchasing or applying for licenses and/or permits required to hunt specific game species, as per state regulations.

  • Conservation License is required for all residents to hunt, fish, or trap in Montana.
  • Base Hunting License is mandatory for all hunters aged 12 and older and serves as a prerequisite for purchasing other hunting licenses.
  • General Licenses are available over the counter for species like deer and elk in certain hunting districts, while
  • Special Limited Permits are allocated through a lottery system for specific species and districts.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents age 11 or older must have the Base Hunting License and the Conservation License as prerequisites when purchasing or applying for a license application and/or permits required to hunt specific game species.

A person may apply for the Come Home to Hunt License to hunt big game and deer if he or she fulfills both of the following requirements. If granted the license, the person must hunt with a licensed adult family member.

  • The person is a non-resident who once lived in Montana and purchased a resident hunting license or was awarded a hunting education certificate.
  • The person has an immediate family member who is a resident of Montana and will act as a sponsor.

A person may purchase the Nonresident Montana Native Hunting License if he or she fulfills both of the following requirements.

  • The person was born in Montana, but is no longer a resident.
  • The person has an immediate family member who is a resident of Montana.
  • Combination Licenses for non-residents include general deer and elk licenses, upland game bird license, and a fishing license, and applicants earn preference points to improve their chances in future season draws. Applicants for these are allocated through a computer drawing, and you may earn bonus points for early application if you meet the specified deadline.
  • Special Licenses, such as the Nonresident Native License, are available for individuals born in Montana but who no longer reside in the state, with sponsorship from a Montana resident family member.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

  • Youth Licenses are available at reduced rates for residents and non-residents aged 12–17.
  • Apprentice Hunter Program allows individuals aged 10 and older to hunt without completing hunter education, provided they are accompanied by a licensed adult mentor.
  • Hunter Education is mandatory for all hunters born after January 1, 1985.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

  • Senior Licenses: Residents aged 62 and older may be eligible for reduced-price licenses, including the Base Hunting License and Conservation License.

Disability & Military Licenses

  • Disabled Licenses: Montana offers reduced-fee licenses for residents with disabilities, including the Resident with a Disability Conservation License.
  • Military Licenses: Active-duty military members stationed in Montana for at least 30 days may purchase resident hunting licenses. Additionally, Montana residents who are active-duty military stationed elsewhere may also purchase resident licenses.
  • Disabled Veteran Licenses: Veterans with a combat-connected disability may be eligible for licenses at half the standard fee.

Required Endorsements & Tags

  • Bow and Arrow License is required for archery hunting and requires completion of a bowhunter education course or proof of a previous year's archery license.
  • Migratory Bird Licenses: Hunters aged 12 and older must purchase the Montana Migratory Bird License; those aged 16 and older must also obtain the Federal Duck Stamp.
  • Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration: Required annually for hunting migratory birds.
  • Carcass Tags: Must be validated and attached to the carcass of big game animals; electronic licenses are acceptable, but carcass tags must be printed and in possession.

MT Hunting licenses expire at the end of February. Species licenses and permits are valid only during their authorized seasons.


Where to buy your Montana Hunting License

To hunt in Montana, you can purchase your license either online through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) licensing platform or in person through an authorized license provider. A comprehensive list of all in-person approved license providers is available here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license providers in the state of Montana:

 

FAQs

 

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Montana?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

 

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

 

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Montana?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by Montana and all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks website states that "To purchase or apply for a Montana hunting license, any person born after January 1, 1985, must provide proof of having successfully completed a hunter education course issued by Montana, any other state, or any Canadian province." 

 

How to get a Montana hunting license?