Hunting Access: Ask Early, Don’t Wait

Montana’s some 23,000 landowners own nearly 60 million acres of private land, much of it with excellent hunting opportunities. It is Montana law that hunters obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind that could improve your chances to secure hunting permission on private land:

• Show courtesy and respect to the landowner and make hunting arrangements by calling or visiting at times convenient to the landowner.
• Plan ahead and secure permission well in advance of the actual hunting date.
• Provide complete information about yourself and your hunting companions, including vehicle descriptions and license numbers and accurate number of people who will be hunting with you.
• Explain what type of hunting you wish to do, and be sure to ask any questions which can help clarify the conditions of access.
• Follow the landowner’s instructions, and bring with you only the companions for whom you obtained landowner permission.
• Be sure to thank the landowner after your hunt.

For more on hunting access, see the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website at fwp.mt.gov.