Licensing Reminder: Residency Requirements for Active Duty Military

Active duty military members and their dependents, which generally include members of the regular armed forces of the United States, and members of the armed forces of a foreign government attached to the regular armed forces of the U.S., are considered Montana residents for the purposes of hunting, fishing and trapping licensing if:

1. The member was a resident of Montana under the residency provisions described in the Residency Requirements section of the hunting, fishing and trapping regulations and detailed in MCA 87-2-102; OR

1. The member is currently stationed in and assigned to active duty in Montana, has resided in Montana for at least 30 days, and presents official assignment orders and proof of completion of a hunter safety course approved by the department, or a certificate verifying the successful completion of a hunter safety course in any state or province. The 30-day residence requirement is waived in time of war. Reassignment to another state, U.S. territory, or country terminates Montana residency for purposes of hunting, fishing and trapping licensing, except that a reassigned member continues to qualify as a resident if the member’s spouse and dependents continue to physically reside in Montana and the member continues to meet the residency criteria described in the Residency Requirements. The designation of Montana by a member of the regular armed forces as a “home of record” or “home of residence” in that member’s armed forces records does not determine the member’s residency for purposes of hunting, fishing and trapping licensing.

A member of the regular armed forces of the U.S. who is otherwise considered a Montana resident pursuant to item 1 above does not forfeit that status as a resident because the member, by virtue of that membership, also possesses, has applied for or has received resident hunting, fishing or trapping privileges in another state or country.

For more information on Residency Requirements, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/residencyinfo.