Posted: 1/13/2016 1:16:18 PM EDT
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Hello all,
Im late asking this but it will be useful knowledge. Can a person target shoot on state land in MT? I only live in MT for 1 month a year so I cant justify the costs of membership at Ryegate gun club. They wont let me in with my father (whos a member) because I am old enough to buy my own membership. I see little sections of State lands (the ones signified by blue signs) scattered all over around our house. Pending I am doing so in a safe manner, not shooting from roads, not tearing up the land, not blowing up my old television can I shoot on this bits of land? Is it legal? Do I need anything other than my conservation license? Thanks all |
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It is always better to check with FWP on the particular track of land you are talking about, some of the state lands allow hunting, fishing and shooting, some do not, get a good map at the local forest service office of the area you are in and then you can see who owns what, pinpoint the plot of land and call FWP, they will be able to let you know if shooting is allowed. Some of the State School Trust lands allow shooting as well, some do not, it really depends on the area, how close to homes business's, etc. Also if you have any private timber lands owned by Stoltz in your area, as long as you follow the access rules, they allow shooting on them. I know where I live, we have tens of thousands of private timber land and as long as we follow the rules, they allow us to hunt and shoot on their lands.
Montana, even as big as it is, can be confusing because we have so many different agencies in this state that manage lands, you have the State, FWP, BLM, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife, Plum Creek(soon to be Weyerhouser) Stoltz, etc, it is a checker board of rules and regulations by the various agencies that really make things crazy. There are also the several hundreds of private land owners who own places that encompass thousands of acres, so it is always best to check with FWP and a map to really see who manages that land. |
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State trust lands are open to recreation but you need to purchase a permit to use them. These permits are separate from hunting and fishing access as those are fees paid in licensing. The DNRC manages trust lands and they state that you must notify the leasee if you are shooting gun not related to hunting.
•All Overnight Use or Horseback or Firearm Use Not in Conjunction With Licensed Hunting: Personal or drop box notification at the designated notice location is required |
| Call the dnrc southern lands office in billings. They will answer your question. http://mt.gov/govt/statedir/agency/dnrc.mcpx |
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Thanks guys, Ill have to investigate more when I am home next. I have played phone and email tag with BLM, Fish and Game, and another agency and I get conflicting answers from all sides. I need to run around and see if they all have maps that I can take/buy/or photograph for reference.
Montana is the most confusing state I have lived in. |