"Hunters' interest in an opportunity to hunt in Montana is as strong as ever," said Barney Benkelman, FWP License Section Bureau Chief. "This year's general big game deer and elk combination license applications were three percent higher than last year's and over the past couple of years we've seen about a 12 percent increase."

Over 2,900 hunters applied for the 2,300 landowner-sponsored deer combination licenses. In addition, FWP sold 5,719 outfitter-sponsored big game combination and 2,183 outfitter-sponsored deer combination licenses by March 15.

FWP records show that 12,956 license applicants paid in advance this year for a "preference point" in next year's special license drawing. A preference point means these individuals' names will be entered twice in the drawing.