Montana hunters BMA question

the noobie

the noobie

New member
Looking for help from someone that is familiar with Montana's BMA hunting rules. I am just looking at doing some coyote hunting.

Can an out of stater hunt on these lands without a valid montana hunting license?

On the little yellow/white access cards there is a space for an ALS number. I can not find anywhere in the proc that says what this refers too. Anyone know what that is?

Thanks all, I have been trying to call Helena and ask them but I have been able to get through the past couple days. I was hoping to get out and hunt this morning but didn't want a ticket so I just scouted instead.

Have a good Thanksgiving!
 
It the Automated Licensing System number? I'm thinking you have to purchase a Conservation license and it will assign you an ALS number that will be good for life. I'm not sure but I thought at one time we could contribute to the BMA program when we were purchasing our tags which does help them acquire more land. While I totally support the BMA program some of the ground on the eastern side is relentlessly pounded to the point where there's very little wildlife left by this time of year. I know of several places where in the past the buckbrush and bullberry bushes were hunted so hard throughout the season by several groups from Washington that it looked like someone had ran a bushhog through it. It's happened the past 4 years? I hope this helps you out and good luck on the coyotes!
 
Your ALS number is your date of birth along with a number that's been assigned to you. It is printed on any Montana state tags/access licences you have, even your fishing licencse.

To hunt State land you need to have payed a state lands access fee, which is connected with our conservation license I believe.
 
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Thanks guys that's what I was thinking. I haven't owned a montana license for a few years. Ill just hold off and wait till christmas break to get the license.

I like the idea of the BMA land but it is getting hit hard here. Were a ways north of billings and it seems there's always 2 pickups parked on it at one time. This morning a guy in a big dually started spinning his tires trying to get up and out tiny plot. The frost just wasn't deep enough to keep him from ripping the road up. This is all I am seeing when I am home so I can only imagine what its like earlier in the season.
 
You need a Conservation License to hunt coyotes in Montana (this covers State land), to hunt on BMA's you also need to buy the 'Hunting Access Enhancement Fee' (this pays for the BMA program). Also, BMA land does NOT include coyote hunting. I was informed of this at the FWP office in Billings. You still need to get permission to hunt coyotes.

If you've had a Conservation license in MT before you have an ALS number. You can look it up on the FWP website.
 
So is BMA land classified as state school land? I saw that it listed a conservation license for there but it didn't say anything else about coyote and licenses other than nothing was needed.

I've been looking for landowners to avoid all the hassle but its tough getting access when you roll up with ID plates. Hopefully over christmas break I can start going to church again and meet at least one person.
 
BMA land is private land that is open to hunting through an agreement (and payment) with the FWP. Some BMA's encompass public land as well, but only when lumped in with adjoining private land. Here's a good explanation: Block Management
 
Each BMA is different. Some you need reservations, some are just park and go some you have to sign in and walk. They all have separate regs. All of them tell what you can hunt , Most don't ever list coyotes... Most have school trust land ( ie state lands )in them. IF you can access the State land off a county public road you don't have to fallow the bma regs. IF you can only access the stat lands from the BMA then your stuck with the particular BMA regulations. You can get the regs and maps from a regional FWP office. Some BMAs have sing in boxes with them. Check with the fwp about the conservation licenses I don't think you need on and there is a separate state use permit for $10 if you don't.
 
Quote:You need a Conservation License to hunt coyotes in Montana (this covers State land), to hunt on BMA's you also need to buy the 'Hunting Access Enhancement Fee' (this pays for the BMA program).
This is simply a false statement. You need a State Lands Use permit to hunt state land. A conservation license alone DOES NOT cover it.
 
Montana statute classifies predators as coyote, weasel, (striped) skunk, and civet cat (spotted skunk). Predator shooting is not regulated by federal or state law or regulation. Predators can be shot in Montana year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters. A Conservation License, or a state school trust lands recreational use license, is required to shoot predators on state school trust lands. Permission must be obtained to shoot predators on private land.

This is off the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website. What I take it to mean, basically, is you can hunt on BLM and private land (with permission) and not need any type of license or permit. I've done it for years.
 
Originally Posted By: Ursus21 Quote:You need a Conservation License to hunt coyotes in Montana (this covers State land), to hunt on BMA's you also need to buy the 'Hunting Access Enhancement Fee' (this pays for the BMA program).
This is simply a false statement. You need a State Lands Use permit to hunt state land. A conservation license alone DOES NOT cover it.


Sorry Ursus21 but you are incorrect. From the MT FWP website:Quote:A Conservation License is a prerequisite for all resident and nonresident licenses. It includes the state lands license (for hunting, fishing and trapping). It also allows a resident or nonresident who is a Legion of Valor member, regardless of age, to fish.
Residents 12-14 years of age and 62 or older need only a conservation license to fish and to hunt migratory birds and upland game birds, excluding turkey. Federal waterfowl stamp also required for individuals (both resident and nonresident) 16 and older.

State Lands Recreation: Quote:Required for recreational use on state school trust lands.The State Lands Recreation License is included in the Montana Conservation License specifically for the purpose of hunting, fishing, and/or trapping (HFT). All other recreational use on state school trust lands requires the State Lands Recreation License. Youth 12-17 and 60+ pay half price ($5). Families, up to 5 members living in the same household, pay $20.
 
And really, you shouldn't need the 'Hunter Access Enhancement' Fee because coyotes aren't part of the BMA program (the state won't pay private landowners to let people shoot coyotes). It would simply fall under hunting on private land once you secure permission. I agree with Northborder, if you hunt exclusively on private or federal ground you shouldn't need any license. It's better to be safe than sorry, though, if you are near state land...a non-resident Conservation license is only $10.
 
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Ursus21 Is still right.
Coyotes ARE NOT game, so when your out shooting them your NOT hunting, fishing , or trapping...A separate use permit is available not tied to your conservation license. In all actuality we would need this one if we are let say hiking on state land and not hunting, technically the use permit tied to your license ONLY lets use state land for ,( ready for this?)HUNTING FISHING AND TRAPING...
 
Originally Posted By: jetman Ursus21 Is still right.
Coyotes ARE NOT game, so when your out shooting them your NOT hunting, fishing , or trapping...A separate use permit is available not tied to your conservation license. In all actuality we would need this one if we are let say hiking on state land and not hunting, technically the use permit tied to your license ONLY lets use state land for ,( ready for this?)HUNTING FISHING AND TRAPING...

You are both incorrect. Coyotes are a "predatory species"...you are very much still hunting when in pursuit of them. The Conservation License covers you for hunting ANYTHING on state lands.

Read the regs, it explicitly states they can be hunted year-round, and you need a conservation license or state lands permit (which is included in the conservation license for hunting) to shoot them on state land.

Predator Species Regulations Page 15, middle column.
 
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Thanks all.

Does anyone know of any public ground North of billings one could use to sight in a rifle? Or even a range that doesnt require membership? Brother wants to get his coyote gun sighted in but we dont know where to take him. I found a small chunk of public but I dont remember how to get too it.
 
After upland game bird season and big game season in others, you need land owner permission to hunt on BMA's. BMA agreements have and ending date, you just can't go on the property anytime. I'll dig up a BMA map and find out for sure, now BLM is federal and open most times.
 


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