Governor, FWP announce new smartphone app

As part of his charge to improve customer service and modernize technology in state government, Governor Greg Gianforte recently announced the launch of a new mobile app from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). FWP’s new app will allow Montanans to access their hunting and fishing licenses with their phone, reducing the need to secure and carry around paperwork while they fish and hunt.

The new app, MyFWP, provides Montana sportsmen and women a simple, easy way to store and display licenses, permits, and digital carcass tags, known as E-Tags, which can be used in the field without cellular service.

“Modernizing the way state government does business allows us to better serve Montanans and remains a top priority as we lead the Montana Comeback,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I applaud FWP for bringing this idea to life, and I look forward to the convenience it will bring our hunters and anglers.”

FWP is launching the new mobile app in conjunction with the start of the new 2022 license year, which begins March 1. The app is available to download now in Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

“This mobile app is a huge advancement in convenience for hunters and anglers,” FWP Director Hank

Worsech said. “Anglers can now display their fishing license on their smartphone, and hunters can notch their digital carcass tag with just a few taps of the app in the palm of their hand.”

In addition to storing and displaying licenses and permits in a digital wallet, the MyFWP app gives hunters the option to digitally validate an E-Tag instead of a traditional paper carcass tag. This can be done even if the hunter is out of cell service.

Hunters who purchase licenses online or at an FWP office will have the choice between the two options – digital or paper – for each transaction they make. They can’t choose both, and the decision is final for the remainder of the license year for each tag. If a hunter chooses the digital option, the E-Tag will be available on their mobile app to download before they head into the field.

Even if someone opts for paper carcass tags, they can still use the MyFWP app to carry and view licenses and permits for the current year and one year prior. All game animals in Montana that require a carcass tag are eligible for digital validation with an E-Tag. Paddlefish won’t have an E-Tag option this year.

Licenses and E-Tags will be accessible out of cellular service if users are logged into the app and have downloaded E-Tags to their mobile device.

Simple and Convenient

1. Download the Montana MyFWP app from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play.

a. Device & System Requirements

i. iPhone device with iOS version 14 or higher

ii. Android device with OS version 11 or higher

2. Open the app and log into your MyFWP account or, if you don’t have one, create a new MyFWP account. You can also link your ALS account to an existing MyFWP account.

3. View your fishing and hunting licenses and permits in or out of cell service.

4. Choose between paper carcass tags or E-Tags upon purchase either online or at an FWP office. You can’t choose both, and if you choose an E-Tag, download it to your device so it’s accessible in the field, in or out of cell service.

Moving forward, FWP will explore adding new functions and services to the MyFWP app, including harvest survey reporting.

To view Frequently Asked Questions on the MyFWP app and more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/myfwpapp.