Montana FWP Accepting Applications for Land Access Programs

Before the 2026 hunting season gets underway, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wants (and needs) to sort out land access for hunters.  So, they are now taking applications from landowners for their Land Access Programs.

What are these Land Access Programs?

If you're a new landowner, these programs are meant to facilitate hunting opportunities in the state, and there are several options.  While these may sound very similar at first glance, there are differences between them.  Here's a quick breakdown, in order of application deadline:

Block Management Access Corridor (Deadline March 15):

• Hunters are permitted to cross, but not hunt on, privately-owned land in order to access neighboring public lands.
• Landowners can set restrictions on when access is available.
• Landowners are compensated financially.

Public Access Land Agreement (Deadline March 15):

• Hunters are allowed to cross, but not hunt on, privately-owned land in order to access public lands that are otherwise inaccessible.
  • Inaccessible means there is no public access available to the land.
• Landowners can set restrictions on when access is available.
• Landowners are compensated financially.
• Can't be combined with Unlocking Public Lands.
• Can be combined with other FWP Land Access Programs

Unlocking Public Lands (Deadline March 15):

• Hunters are allowed to cross, but not hunt on, privately-owned land in order to access public lands that are otherwise inaccessible.
  • Inaccessible means there is no public access available to the land.
• Access must be available for the majority of the year.
• Landowners are compensated with tax credits.
• Can NOT be combined with any other FWP Land Access Program

Elk Hunting Access Agreement (Deadline May 1):

• Hunters are allowed to hunt elk on the landowner's property.
• Landowners must permit at least three public hunters free access.
• Landowners are compensated with a complimentary elk license.

Block Management Agreement (Deadline June 1):

• Hunters are allowed to cross and hunt on privately-owned land as well as access neighboring public lands.
• Landowners can set restrictions on when access is available.
• Landowners are compensated financially.

Like I said, this is just a brief overview, so check out the individual programs for specifics.