Permits for non-Tribal members

As spring is just around the corner, non-Tribal members who are Flathead Reservation residents as well as non-residents will be looking to get permits for various outdoor activities.

Amanda Bourdon, permit agent and administrative assistant for the Fish, Wildlife and Recreation from the Natural Resources Department, explained that there are three categories for those looking to purchase permits: non-Tribal members who live on the Flathead Reservation, non-Tribal members who live outside of the reservation but live in the state of Montana, and non-Tribal members who live outside of the state.

A conservation permit is purchased at the cost for each of the three categories, and from there, “stamps” are purchased for activities including fishing, camping, bird hunting, federal migratory bird and camping.

Bourdon explained that in order to obtain the conservation permit and additional stamps, the person purchasing each must be a resident of Montana and the reservation, if applicable, for at least six months.

Non-Tribal individuals need the conservation permit and stamps when doing recreation, Bourdon said.

There is a “joint” license for reservation residents, which Bourdon explained works on the reservation and throughout the state of Montana.

“It’s a benefit. If you live here (on the reservation,) you don’t have to buy” an additional state permit for fishing, she explained.

For non-Tribal reservation residents, she said that fiscally it makes sense to go with that option, which costs $14 for the permit and $20 for the fishing stamp, rather than the cheaper alternative of $13 for three consecutive days and covers the southern portion of Flathead Lake.

It’s also best, Bourdon said, for those who want to fish around the state to obtain the yearly fishing documentation at the beginning of March, which lasts through the last day of February of the following year.

To purchase the conservation permits and stamps, Bourdon said that a list of local vendors sell the paperwork.

There are some discounts, Bourdon said, with certain age brackets.

Conservation permits are required at age 12. For youths between the ages of 12-14, a conservation permit is purchased at full price, depending on their category, and stamps for each activity are roughly half price.

Persons over the age of 62 and those with disabilities are also discounted roughly half price, Bourdon said, adding that anyone interested in the disability discount must take paperwork to their doctor to fill out.

At the FWRC, located at 406 Sixth Ave. East, Polson, booklets with a list of vendors between Kalispell and Missoula are available for the public, Bourdon said, and more information can be found by visiting fwp.mt.gov