Outdoor Hunting Enthusiasts – March 15 is the deadline to apply for Montana’s 2016 deer and elk hunting permits. An updated and easy-to-use 10-page application packet is available online at fwp.mt.gov. 2016 Deer, Elk and Antelope Regulations are also available online.

New this year are antlerless elk permits in select hunting districts in FWP regions 2 and 3. These permits allow a general elk license holder the opportunity of harvesting an antlerless elk in the district for which the license is valid. This is not a permit for a second animal in that district. Holders of the antlerless permits are reminded they cannot, in most instances, use their general license for an antlered elk in the same district in which the permit is valid. Antlerless elk permit holders can also still apply for an elk B license by the deadline June 1.

Applicants will need a deer or elk license in order to apply for a special permit. Like the bull elk and buck deer permits, the application deadline for antlerless elk permits is also March 15.

Printed versions of Deer, Elk and Antelope regulations will be available during the last week of March.

Nonresidents who wish to apply for big game combination, elk combination or deer combination licenses and deer and elk permits for the 2016 fall Montana hunting season can also apply online or download an application from FWP’s website.

To request an application by mail, write to: Licensing Section; Montana FWP; P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT; 59620-0701; or call: 406-444-2950. The application deadline is March 15. Successful applicants will receive their permits in mid-April.