2026 Hunters: Please Read Carefully

If you have any questions throughout the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us before submitting. Fish, Wildlife & Parks has also posted an online video for non-resident hunters as a resource, so please use that if needed.

Important: all party applications must apply for the exact same licenses and points, or the system may remove members from the party draw.

1. Go to fwp.mt.gov and scroll down the page.
2. Click the yellow Buy and Apply button in the upper left.
3. Click the yellow Online Licensing button in the middle of the screen.
4. Click the green I Am a Non-Resident button.
5. Fill in the requested information.
6. If you have hunted with us or in Montana previously, use your existing ALS#. Failure to do so may result in loss of accumulated preference points. This number is located on past tags/licenses after your birthdate.
7. If you do not already have an ALS#, click I Do Not Have an ALS# and the system will issue one.
8. Accept the acknowledgement.
9. Select license year 2026.
10. Scroll to All Items and check the box for Conservation License without Search & Rescue Donation.
11. Under Application, check either:
    • General-Big Game Combo for elk and deer tags, or
    • General-Elk Combo for elk-only tags, for archery hunters and rifle hunters not interested in hunting deer.
12. If you are an archery hunter, purchase the Bow and Arrow License – $10 under prerequisite items.
13. If asked whether you are applying for a party, select Yes or No.
    • If you are the first member of the party, list all names accurately.
    • If you are joining a party, enter the party number issued on the receipt of the first member.
14. When asked if you are going to hunt with an outfitter, select Yes.
15. For Preference Point Purchase, select Yes.
16. For Purchase Outfitter Endorsed Point, select Yes.

Important: you are not applying for an elk permit. You will be hunting in a general hunting district. The blue dot should already be bolded, and that is correct.

17. Decide at your discretion whether to donate on the next few options.
18. Select No for donating your refund to Block Management.
19. For How did you hear about us? check the Outfitter button.
20. Choose Yes or No for Hunters Against Hunger.
21. Choose Yes or No for the Wolf Mitigation Donation program.
22. Your receipt should show your chosen licenses and both preference points. The first receipt may not show the preference point, but the second receipt should.
23. Enter your payment information and complete checkout. If you have any questions, stop before submitting.

General Big Game Combination License (elk and deer tags) costs $1,312.00.

General Elk Combination License (elk only) costs $1,112.00.

Please also note the $30 convenience fee and the additional preference point costs.

If buying the outfitter endorsed license, you must hunt with a licensed outfitter. No exceptions.

It is critical that you purchase both the regular preference point and the outfitter endorsed point. These are $100 each.

Hunters may only hold three total preference points when applying for a license.

Draw results are expected around April 15, 2026. Please let us know your status as soon as possible.

Successful applicants will be informed by email by Montana FWP. Please use a working email address.

Once successful, hunters may print their tags and licenses or use the app at their discretion.

Changes To The System

• If a hunter already has two preference points banked, they will only be able to purchase one point when licensing this season.
• You may purchase the outfitter preference point again this year in addition to the regular preference point.
• We will verify that you are on our hunting roster prior to the deadline.

Only parties of five or less may apply together.

• Determine who will be the first one in your party to apply. This person is the party establisher.
• The party establisher must answer Yes when asked if they are the first member of the party to apply.
• The party establisher must type in the first and last names of all other party members accurately.
• At the end of the session, the party establisher must print the application receipt by clicking View/Print License & Application Details.
• The receipt contains the establisher name, assigned party number, and names of party members.
• The party establisher must give the correct party number to the other members.
• Each remaining member then completes their own application using that party number.
• Party members must answer No when asked if they are the first member of the party to apply.
• If the party number is entered incorrectly, or if each member applies as the first person, the applications will go into the draw without the party designation.
• All party members must purchase the same points or no points at all. Purchase both the preference point and the outfitter preference point.
• All party members must apply for the exact same licenses and preference points.
• Points are averaged among the party applicants, which generally works in the party’s favor.