Due to a law passed by the 2023 MT State Legislature, everyone ages 12 and older will need a Montana Conservation License to access most state lands. This includes all types of recreation—launching watercraft, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, etc.
The following frequently asked questions from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks help explain the new rules:
Conservation License Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Conservation License? A Conservation License is required to access most state lands. Before this year, only hunters, anglers and trappers were required to purchase a Conservation License. Starting this year, all types of recreation users need one.
2. Who needs a Conservation License? Beginning July 1, 2023, everyone 12 and older needs a Conservation License to access most state lands. And, as in the past, all apprentice hunters, even those ages 10 and 11, are required to have a Conservation License.
3. When does the Conservation License requirement begin? July 1, 2023
4. How is this different than before? For hunters, anglers and trappers who already purchase a Conservation License along with their hunting and fishing licenses from FWP, this new requirement might go largely unnoticed. However, people who enjoy recreation on any of the more than 330 fishing access sites or 77 wildlife management areas will need to have a Conservation License to access those lands. In the past, users didn’t need to have any sort of license to use fishing access sites or wildlife management areas, with the exception of some site-specific fees for overnight camping.
5. What lands require a Conservation License? Fishing access sites (FAS), wildlife management areas (WMA), wildlife habitat protection areas (WHPA), and Montana state trust lands. Montana State Parks do not require a conservation license.
6. Is all state trust land open to recreation? Most legally accessible state trust land is open to the public for recreational use but is subject to certain closures and restrictions. Check closures and restrictions at https://dnrc. mt.gov/recreation.
7. Will I get a ticket if I don’t have one? During the first year of the Conservation License requirement, FWP enforcement will educate and inform users of the new license requirements. Beginning March 1, 2024, recreationists not holding a Conservation License may be issued a written warning, upon a first offense. Subsequent offenses may me cited.
8. What if I’m just using the bathroom at a FAS, and not using the site? You don’t need a Conservation License to access a latrine.
9. I just use my local FAS to walk my dog. I don’t need one right? Walking your dog at an FAS is considered recreating and requires a Conservation License.
10. The FAS I’m going to already has a camping fee so I don’t need a Conservation License, right? Camping fees do not include a Conservation License, so you need to purchase one separately.
11. How often do I need to buy a Conservation License? A Conservation License lasts from March 1 to the end of February the following year, which is considered the FWP license year.
12. What is the difference between FWP land and Montana state trust land? FWP land is managed by FWP. State trust land is managed by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to produce revenue for Montana K-12 schools and other public institutions, helping fund education in the state.
13. How much is a Conservation License? Montana resident • Adult: $8 • Youth, 12-17, and apprentice hunters ages 10 and 11: $4 • Senior, 62+: $4 • Nonresident: $10
14. How do I purchase a Conservation License? Conservation Licenses can be purchased at any FWP office or online at ols.fwp.mt.gov/.
15. What is the money used for? It helps pay for the maintenance and conservation work on FWP lands. FWP will pay a fee to DNRC at the rate of $3.50 for every conservation license sold. This fee is held in trust for Montana K-12 schools and other public institutions, helping fund education in Montana.
16. Why is it required now? A new law was passed by the 2023 Montana Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Greg Gianforte. It simplifies existing laws for state land users, and it provides a way for users who don’t buy hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses to help pay for the maintenance and conservation work on state lands.
Additionally, we asked FWP about how ranchers would be covered under the new rules, such as when they are out doing agricultural work but not “recreating”. We had not heard back from the state FWP office at press time.
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