Marias River WMA Deer Hunting Access Permit Drawing Now Open

SHELBY - Hunters who want to hunt deer on the Marias River Wildlife Management Area southwest of Shelby in Hunting District 406 must apply and submit their application online during the month of June.

Applicants must apply for one specific archery or one specific rifle hunt period. There are three archery hunt periods each lasting approximately two weeks, three general season hunt periods lasting approximately one week each, and two antlered buck permit hunt periods each lasting one week. Applicants for the two antlered buck permit hunt periods must already possess either a 406-50 or a 406-51 Antlered Buck Permit.

Hunters can submit applications beginning at 8 a.m., June 1, until 5 p.m., June 30. All drawing applications must be submitted electronically online either on the FWP web page at: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/marias-river-wma or at any FWP regional office.

Public hunting access for all other species is open on the Marias River WMA without an access permit.

Deer Hunting Access Permits to the Marias River Wildlife Management Area will be allocated as follows:

2024 Archery Season - Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 archers for the first 2 weeks (Sept. 7 – Sept. 21)
• 10 archers for the 3rd and 4th weeks (Sept. 22 – Oct. 5)
• 10 archery hunters for 5th and 6th weeks (Oct. 6 – Oct. 20)

2024 General Season - Deer Hunting Periods

• 10 rifle hunters for the 1st week (Oct. 26 – Oct. Nov 1)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 2nd week (Nov. 2 – Nov. 8)
• 10 rifle hunters for the 3rd week (Nov. 9 – Nov. 17)
• 5 rifle hunters for the 4th week (Nov. 18 – Nov. 24)
  • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply
• 5 rifle hunters for the 5th and final week (Nov. 25 – Dec. 1)
  • Must possess a 406-50 or 406-51 deer permit to apply

Other points to remember:

• Application must be made electronically beginning 8 a.m., June 1, 2024.  Persons may make electronic application at FWP Regional offices.
• Application deadline is 5 p.m., June 30, 2024.
• Applicants must include their full name, address, phone number, valid email address, ALS number and desired hunt period.
• Incomplete applications will be removed from the drawing.
• Hunters may apply only once. Duplicate applications will be removed from the drawing.
• No party applications accepted.
• Drawing will take place after June 30, 2024.
• 3 archery hunt periods, each approximately 2-week in length.
• 10 archery hunters randomly chosen per 2-week period.
• 10 general hunting season (rifle) hunters randomly chosen for the first 3 general season (rifle) hunt periods, each 7-9 days in length.
• 5 permit-season hunting (rifle) hunters randomly chosen for hunt periods 4 and 5, each 7 days in length.  Applicants for hunt periods 4 and 5 must possess either a 406-50 or a 406-51 deer permit.
• Hunt periods are not transferable.
• Successful applicants will be contacted by email with hunt access information and authorized permission prior to the start of the archery season.
• Successful applicants may use any deer license valid in Hunting District 406.
• All hunting will conform to the existing F&W Commission-established season structure in HD 406.
• Apprentice hunters may not apply for limited licenses or permits including the Marias River WMA Deer Hunting Access Permit.