FWP News: Surplus drawing license opportunities to be randomized

Successful hunters to be contacted through email

HELENA – Hunters who signed up for the Surplus License List will be randomized and selected today, Wednesday, July 24. The list includes licenses left over from the drawing for Deer B and Elk B licenses.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will contact hunters who are at the top of the list via email with instructions to finalize their purchase within a specified time.

Hunters must finalize the purchase of the license within the timeframe specified in the email, otherwise, the opportunity will be offered to the next hunter on the randomized list. FWP may offer opportunities that have not sold out through the Surplus License List to over-the-counter customers at our internal and external license sale providers.

This new process for the sale of surplus licenses began in 2020 in response to issues in years past. The old process was vulnerable to long lag times, confusion and a perception of inequity for those unable to use the first-come, first-served online option starting at 5 a.m.

Nonresidents who hold a nonresident native license, youth combo license, or nonresident college student combination license may purchase Deer B and Elk B licenses at half price.

New for 2024, nonresident hunters who hold a nonresident combination license may possess a total of two Deer B licenses. Nonresident hunters who do not hold a nonresident combination license may possess a total of one Deer B license.

For more information, contact the FWP licensing office at 406-444-2950 or fwplic@mt.gov.

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