Protocols In Place At FWP Offices
(Updated Friday, March 20):FWP to close front desk services in response to COVID-19
• Licenses purchased online will be mailed
• Call center active and ready to help
To protect the public and staff from the spread of COVID-19, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will close its offices around the state to the public beginning at 5 p.m. today, Friday, March 20.
“With license sales and applications, traffic through our offices has been robust even with warnings about social distancing and public safety due to COVID-19,” said FWP Director Martha Williams. “FWP will continue to sell licenses online and help customers with questions regarding their license purchase through a call center and through email.”
The deadline to apply for deer and elk licenses is April 1. Hunters should apply now and not wait until the last minute. Hunters who are applying for special licenses or permits will need to do so online at fwp.mt.gov and will still need to have a valid email address.
License buyers can still purchase their licenses online or from any license provider.
FWP office closures to the public will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.
Much of the recent traffic to FWP offices were people who had trouble printing their licenses. Two key changes the public should be aware of:
• FWP will mail carcass tags to those who purchase them online, just as in years past.
• People who have had trouble printing their licenses during the past two weeks will receive them in the mail.
“We know most customers are comfortable with online purchases, but for others this will be an inconvenience” Williams said. “Our licensing staff will be working diligently at the call center to meet the licensing needs of our customers.”
Visitor centers and public meeting spaces at many FWP facilities were closed Monday due to recommendations on social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To purchase and apply for licenses and permits online, go to fwp.mt.gov.
For those who need assistance with their purchase, please call the FWP licensing center at 406-444-2950 or your regional or area office:
• Region 1 (Kalispell): 752-5501
• Region 2 (Missoula): 542-5500
• Region 3 (Bozeman): 577-7900. Helena Area Office: 495-3260. Butte Area Office: 494-1953
• Region 4 (Great Falls): 454-5840. Lewistown Area Office: 538-4658
• Region 5 (Billings): 247-2940
• Region 6 (Glasgow): 228-3700. Havre Area Office: 265-6177
• Region 7 (Miles City): 234-0900
• FWP Headquarters (Helena): 444-2535
Additional information on COVID-19 is also available online, on DES social media, and via phone
• covid19.mt.gov
• Twitter: @MontanaDES
• Facebook: Facebook.com/MontanaDES
• Instagram: @MontanaDES406
(Updated Thursday, March 19): At this time, FWP is keeping its front office license sales and application services open to the public. We strongly encourage people to purchase and apply for licenses online at FWP.MT.GOV. Please call 406-370-0077 with any questions. Original story below.
In accordance with guidelines for social distancing related to COVID-19 and to protect the public as well as staff, Fish, Wildlife & Park strongly encourages hunters and anglers to make licensing purchases online at fwp.mt.gov. For those who need assistance with their purchase, please call the FWP licensing center at 406-444-2950 or your regional or area office:
• Region 1 (Kalispell): 752-5501
• Region 2 (Missoula): 542-5500
• Region 3 (Bozeman): 577-7900
o Helena Area Office: 495-3260
o Butte Area Office: 494-1953
• Region 4 (Great Falls): 454-5840
o Lewistown Area Office: 538-4658
• Region 5 (Billings): 247-2940
• Region 6 (Glasgow): 228-3700
o Havre Area Office: 265-6177
• Region 7 (Miles City): 234-0900
• FWP Headquarters (Helena): 444-2535
FWP regional and headquarters offices remain open, but visitors will be required to follow protocol to reduce the risk of exposure to and spread of COVID-19. These protocols include:
• Entry to the lobby is limited and monitored by an FWP staff member.
• Visitors must wait outside until notified by FWP staff to enter.
• No cash will be accepted, only checks and credit or debit cards.
• The April 1 deadline for deer and elk, the May 1 deadline for moose, sheep, goat and bison, and the June 1 deadline for Elk B, Deer B, and antelope will remain in effect. These deadlines are set in statute.
• Please check with your local FWP office for hours of operation.
To purchase licenses online, go to fwp.mt.gov and click on “License: Buy/Apply.” For more information on FWP’s response to COVID-19, go to http://fwp.mt.gov/covid19.
-fwp-
Additional information on COVID-19 is also available online, on DES social media, and via phone:
• Covid19.mt.gov
• Twitter: @MontanaDES
• Facebook: Facebook.com/MontanaDES
• Instagram: @MontanaDES406
• 888-333-0461
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