FWP to stop cash sales, shift to digital-only licenses March 1, 2026

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will require hunters and anglers to buy 2026 licenses through its Online Licenses Service or the MyFWP mobile app beginning March 1, 2026, and cash will no longer be accepted for license purchases. In-person sales will shift to a new License Ambassador program where businesses sell licenses via the online system rather than older point-of-sale hardware.

FWP told partners the old license sales equipment was "unreplaceable and outdated" and "prevented us from adding additional businesses and created costly inefficiencies for FWP and our partners." The agency says the License Ambassador program and the Online Licenses Service will allow more businesses to sell licenses, but FWP and its partners acknowledge some outlets that formerly sold licenses may not participate as ambassadors.

Hunters can store and display digital licenses, permits and digital carcass tags using the MyFWP app, which FWP notes lets users access licenses "even without cell service" and "validate your E-tag after your harvest." FWP also states that "By Montana law, no GPS location data is shared with FWP." The Online Licenses Service lets customers complete party applications online; the party establisher must print the application receipt by clicking the "View/Print License & Application Details" button and give the system-assigned party number to members. Customers are warned: "Please double check your purchase or application prior to the final submission. Once an application has been entered, or an over the counter license has been purchased, it is final and cannot be changed." For phone support the Online Licenses Service lists +(406) 444-2950.

Helena-area businesses are preparing for the change. Chris Strainer, owner of Cross Currents Fly Shop, said, "Fish, Wildlife and Parks ambassador license program should be an interesting transition this year. We're cautiously optimistic. We think it will work and allow people to buy their licenses no matter where they are." Shop staff and guide apprentice Jack Hare added, "I think that the transition is going to be rough at the beginning. I think it's going to be hard for a lot of people. For the, the education, and having people understand how to get licenses off the bat." FWP has published a License Ambassador map to help customers find participating businesses.

The move to digital licensing arrives alongside rule changes for 2026. CBS19 reported "One significant change this year is a reduction in the number of nonresident deer licenses by 2,500." Chrissy Webb of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks said, "Our state legislatures and our commissioners around the state have been hearing concerns from our hunters about increased hunting pressure a lot of the times from nonresident hunters." Kevin Farron, conservation director at the Montana Wildlife Foundation, criticized past handling of returned tags: "What FWP has been doing, is then taking that returned or what they call orphaned deer license, repackaging it, and reselling it." KYSS FM notes nonresidents remain limited to one Deer B license unless they draw a combo license and that the commission adopted district-specific changes aimed at protecting mule deer and managing hunting pressure; KYSS FM's summary also lists changes for elk and "Bighorn sheep [...]" though the full text of those items was not provided in source excerpts.

Special licenses remain available online and at FWP offices; a Montana Resident with a Disability Conservation License package lists fees of Conservation $8, AIS Prevention Pass $2, and Fishing License $10.50 and is restricted to Montana residents who "must be permanently and substantially disabled." Hunters planning to be in the field on March 1 are advised to purchase licenses ahead of time to avoid early transition issues and to consult the Online Licenses Service or the License Ambassador map for the latest seller locations and support.