Black bear, turkey seasons now open

This is a big week for Montana sportsmen, as the spring turkey season began Saturday and the spring black bear season begins today.

In addition, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recently announced that the 2014 SuperTag chances are on sale, and the May 1 deadline is approaching to apply for special license drawings for bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat. The deadline for special license drawings for the elk B, deer B and antelope is June 2.

Spring Black Bear Hunting Season Opens Today

Hunters can purchase black bear hunting licenses online at fwp.mt.gov, at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks license providers, or print a paper license application and mail it in to Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Licenses issued through the mail may take two weeks to process.

Black bear hunting licenses purchased after April 14 may not be used until 24 hours after purchase. Black bear hunters are limited to one black bear license a year.

All black bear hunters must successfully complete or have completed  Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ bear identification test before purchasing a black bear license.

Take the bear identification test online at fwp.mt.gov; click the Hunter Education icon then click “Bear Identification Program.” Complete the training and test, and then present the printed online certificate to purchase a license. The training and test can also be obtained on paper, with a mail-in answer card, at Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ regional offices.

The 2014 black bear regulations are available online at fwp.mt.gov, at region offices and license providers.

Spring Turkey Season Kicks Off

Montana’s spring male turkey hunting season kicked off Saturday, April 12.

Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license in a general area at Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, license providers or online. The application deadline for western Montana’s spring gobbler season permits has passed.

The 2014 spring turkey regulations, with details on turkey hunting in the general area, are available at Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov.

Hunters should remember when transporting a spring turkey within Montana, one leg and foot must be left naturally attached for evidence of sex. Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land.

2014 SuperTag Chances On Sale

Montana’s SuperTag chances for the hunt of a lifetime are on sale.

Hunters can win the SuperTag drawing by purchasing one or more $5 SuperTag chances for the fall 2014 hunting season.

Eight SuperTag hunt licenses are offered—moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, elk, deer, antelope, mountain lion and bison. Winners may hunt any district open to the species for which they won a tag.

SuperTags are available at all Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices, license providers, or online at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Montana’s SuperTag.” SuperTags can be purchased using Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ online licensing service. A 2014 conservation license is needed to purchase a SuperTag.

 Proceeds from SuperTag sales go to enhance hunting access and enforcement. The deadline to purchase SuperTag chances is July 3.

Montana’s Special Drawing Deadlines

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ deadlines to apply for special license drawings is May 1 for bison, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat; and June 2 for the elk B, deer B and antelope license drawings.

Hunters applying for moose, sheep and goat licenses will see changes in fees as a result of legislation adopted by the 2013 Montana Legislature. In past years, hopeful resident hunters were required to submit $75 with their application for a $125 license, plus pay a $5 drawing fee. This year, resident hunters need only submit a nonrefundable $10 application fee per license and then pay the full license fee of $125 if successful.

Nonresidents are also included in the new fee arrangement. In past years, nonresident hunters were required to submit $750, the entire cost of a moose, bighorn sheep or mountain goat license, plus pay a $5 drawing fee. This year nonresident hunters need only submit a nonrefundable $50 application fee per license and then pay the full license fee of $750 if successful.

Residents and nonresidents can also participate in the bonus point system to increase their chances of success in the drawing. Bonus points are $2 per species for residents and $20 per species for nonresidents.

Hunting Permit Drawing Results Available Soon

The anticipation of thousands of Montana’s hopeful deer and elk hunters is nearly over.

“We know hunters are anxious to hear if they drew a buck deer or bull elk permit,” said Ron Aasheim, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks spokesperson.” These will be the first big game hunting permit drawing results of the year.”

The drawing will start April 16.

Aasheim said hunters should watch fwp.mt.gov for the drawing results announcement. Click “MyFWP” and then enter your ALS information.

Hunters should keep in mind that the deadline is May 1 to apply for moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat licenses available through a drawing. June 2 is the deadline to apply for antelope, deer B and elk B licenses.