What a Montana Nonresident Conservation License Lets You Do

A nonresident conservation license is a Montana hunting and fishing license sold to people who do not live in the state. It costs less than a full nonresident license and covers the same species and seasons, but comes with one key limit: you can hunt and fish only on land you own or have written permission to use. You cannot hunt or fish on public land or on someone else's private land without that written consent.

The license is useful if you own property in Montana, lease hunting rights, or have family land you visit regularly. It also works if you plan to fish or hunt only on outfitter-guided trips, since the outfitter's land counts as permission you hold. The license year runs from March 1 to the last day of February, and you can buy it any time during that window.

Key Takeaways

  • A nonresident conservation license costs less than a standard nonresident license and covers the same hunting and fishing seasons and species.
  • You can use it only on land you own, lease, or have written permission to hunt or fish on — not on public land.
  • You must carry your license and a valid photo ID while hunting or fishing, and the license is not transferable to another person.
  • Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sells the license online, by phone, and at regional offices; the license year runs March 1 to February 28.
  • Nonresident licenses require a conservation license number, which you obtain by completing a hunter or angler safety course or holding a prior Montana license.

Cost and License Year

The nonresident conservation license costs less than the standard nonresident hunting or fishing license. The exact price varies by year and by whether you buy a combination hunting-and-fishing license or separate licenses for each activity. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks publishes current prices on their website each year before the March 1 start date.

The license runs from March 1 through the last day of February of the following year. You can buy it at any point during that period, and it remains valid through February 28 regardless of when you purchase it. If you buy a license in January, it covers you through the end of that February and then expires; you would need to buy a new one for the next year's March 1 start date.

Where You Can Hunt and Fish

The conservation license restricts where you can use it. You may hunt and fish on land you own outright, land you lease for hunting or fishing rights, or any private land where you have the owner's written permission. Written permission does not need to be a formal document — a signed note or email from the landowner stating you have permission to hunt or fish is sufficient.

You cannot use a conservation license on public land managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, or any other public agency. If you plan to hunt or fish on public land, you need a standard nonresident license instead. Outfitter-guided trips work because the outfitter typically owns or leases the land where the hunt or fishing takes place, so you have permission through your booking.

How to Get a Conservation License Number

Before you can buy any nonresident license in Montana, you must have a conservation license number. This is a unique identifier Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks assigns to you. You obtain one in one of two ways: complete a hunter safety course or angler safety course, or hold a prior Montana hunting or fishing license from any year.

If you have never held a Montana license, you must take the appropriate safety course. Montana offers hunter education courses both in-person and online. The online course takes about four to six hours and ends with a final exam; you receive your conservation license number upon passing. Angler education courses follow the same structure. Once you have your conservation license number, you keep it for life and can use it to buy licenses in future years without retaking the course.

If you held a Montana hunting or fishing license in any prior year, you already have a conservation license number on file. You can use that number to buy a new license without taking a course again.

Where to Buy and What to Bring

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sells nonresident conservation licenses through three channels: online at their website, by phone at their regional offices, and in person at Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional offices across the state. Online purchase is the fastest option and takes a few minutes. Phone and in-person sales require you to call or visit during business hours.

To buy a license, you need your conservation license number, a valid photo ID, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or check if buying in person). If you are buying online, you will receive your license as a PDF that you can print or save to your phone. If you buy by phone or in person, the office will print it for you or mail it, depending on timing.

Once you have your license, you must carry it with you while hunting or fishing, along with your valid photo ID. The license is not transferable — only the person whose name appears on it can use it.

Seasons and Species Covered

A nonresident conservation license covers all the same hunting and fishing seasons and species as a standard nonresident license. You can hunt deer, elk, upland game birds, waterfowl, and other species during their respective seasons. You can fish for trout, walleye, pike, and other species year-round where open water exists, or during specific seasons in certain waters.

Seasons and bag limits (the number of fish or game you can take per day) are set by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and published in the annual hunting and fishing guides. These guides are free and available online and at license vendors. The seasons and limits are the same whether you hold a conservation license or a standard nonresident license — the only difference is where you can use it.

When a Conservation License Will Not Work

If any part of your hunting or fishing trip involves public land, you need a standard nonresident license, not a conservation license. Public land in Montana includes state wildlife management areas, national forests, Bureau of Land Management land, and state parks that allow hunting or fishing. Even if you spend most of your time on private land, a single day on public land means you need the full license.

Similarly, if you do not have written permission from a private landowner and you plan to ask for it on the spot, bring a standard license instead. Some landowners may be reluctant to give permission, and you do not want to be caught without the right license if permission is denied. A standard nonresident license covers you on public land and on private land where you have permission, so it is the safer choice if your access is uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a conservation license number before I buy a nonresident conservation license?

Yes. You must have a conservation license number on file with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you can purchase any nonresident license. If you have never held a Montana license, you get one by completing a hunter or angler safety course. If you held a Montana license in any prior year, you already have one.

Can I use a conservation license if I am staying at an outfitter's lodge?

Yes, as long as the outfitter owns or leases the land where you hunt or fish. The outfitter's permission counts as written permission to use private land. Confirm with the outfitter before booking that they will provide the necessary permission documentation if asked.

What happens if I hunt or fish on public land with a conservation license?

Hunting or fishing on public land with a conservation license is a violation of Montana law. You can be cited and fined. If you are unsure whether a piece of land is public or private, contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks or the landowner before you hunt or fish.

Can I buy a conservation license and then upgrade to a standard nonresident license mid-year?

Yes. If you buy a conservation license and later decide you want to hunt or fish on public land, you can buy a standard nonresident license. The cost difference between the two licenses is refunded or credited, depending on how Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks processes the upgrade at the time you request it. Contact them directly to arrange the change.

Does a conservation license cover fishing in all Montana waters?

A conservation license covers fishing in the same waters and during the same seasons as a standard nonresident license. The restriction is only on where you can fish — you must have permission to be on the land where the water is located. Some waters have special regulations or closures that apply to all anglers regardless of license type; check the annual fishing guide for details.