Keith Lusher 08.17.26
Hunters hoping to access one Montana state park this fall will have to win a spot through a new weekly lottery before heading into the field.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is introducing a reservation system at Missouri Headwaters State Park near Three Forks that will limit hunting access to six hunters per day.
The change comes as hunting interest at the park has increased and wildlife officials look for ways to keep the property open to hunters while also managing safety around other visitors.
Beginning Aug. 26, hunters will be able to apply for the free lottery between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. each Wednesday. Applicants will select three preferred hunting days for the following week. Those selected will receive one of those dates along with a parking permit.
The weekly application process is scheduled to continue through Jan. 15, 2027.
“In order to continue to manage that safely, we’re hopeful that this new online reservation system will help manage hunting at a level so that it can continue to do so safely,” FWP spokesperson Morgan Jacobsen said.
Missouri Headwaters State Park covers roughly 560 acres at the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers, where the Missouri River begins. The property attracts more than hunters. Camping, hiking, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing are also popular activities at the park.
Concerns about mixing hunting with other recreational use at the relatively small park are not entirely new. During an earlier FWP public-comment process involving weapons restrictions at state parks, concerns were raised about shots being fired and gut piles being found near camping and recreation areas at Missouri Headwaters.
The new rules do not eliminate hunting at the park.
FWP has released an updated map identifying areas where hunting is allowed and prohibited, along with what hunters can pursue in different portions of the property. Weapon restrictions are also in place. Rifles are prohibited, while shotguns, handguns, muzzleloaders and archery equipment are allowed where applicable.
“You really have to be familiar with the boundaries of the area where you have permission to hunt or where your license is applicable,” Jacobsen said. “So yeah, hunters should spend some time getting familiar with that.”
The new lottery essentially puts a daily cap on hunting pressure while allowing the activity to continue at the park.
Hunters planning to apply this season should review the updated FWP hunting map and regulations before entering the property.
