Block Mgt hits almost 7 million acres in 2026

[Ben Lamb]

In 2025, MT had about 6.2 million acres enrolled in Block Mgt. In 2026, that number has grown to approximately 6.8 million. That's an impressive amount of growth for the program.

Hunters Gain Access to 7 Million Acres as Montana Releases 2026 Block Management Details

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released updated maps and guides for the fall hunting season, granting access to nearly 7 million acres through its Block Management Program. Hunters are encouraged to review regulations carefully to maintain cooperation with landowners and ensure ethical...

www.montanaoutdoor.com

 

[Stone_Ice_1]

Curious where the increase in lands comes from, which area? The areas I keep tabs on the past 2 years there has been a pretty significant decrease in spots that are in the program.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Not sure where the growth came from. The FWP website has it broken down by region & acres enrolled. R7 continues to be the highest enrollement with almost 2 million acres. According to PLPW and FWP, the number of enrollees is going up, while the average property size enrolled is decreasing.

 

[Nick87]

Not sure where the growth came from. The FWP website has it broken down by region & acres enrolled. R7 continues to be the highest enrollement with almost 2 million acres. According to PLPW and FWP, the number of enrollees is going up, while the average property size enrolled is decreasing.

Lots of issues with that program, that said a lot better program than other states have for sure.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Lots of issues with that program, that said a lot better program than other states have for sure.

Any program is going to have warts and they take constant care & watering. I can't think of another state that offers public access to damn near 7 million acres of private land though so to me, the warts are worth it.

 

[Nameless Range]

Absolutely fantastic.

Just for perspective, juxtaposed against the 30ish million acres of public land in Montana, the addition of Block Management lands expands the baseline of huntable lands available to the public by over 23%. Of course, some of that BM is type 2 and limited, but the majority isn't. The positive effect on reducing crowding, putting meat in the freezer, and providing the quality experiences that are derived from the privilege of getting to walk on someone's private property with a weapon and a quarry is a hell of a thing.

It's a program we should continue to protect and improve.

 

[Nick87]

Any program is going to have warts and they take constant care & watering. I can't think of another state that offers public access to damn near 7 million acres of private land though so to me, the warts are worth it.

Agreed.

 

[Treeshark]

In 2026, that number has grown to approximately 6.8 million. That's an impressive amount of growth for the program.

The same source you cited claims that 2025 enrolled average was also 6.8 million.

 

[Ben Lamb]

The same source you cited claims that 2025 enrolled average was also 6.8 million.

Agency was saying 6.2 million in 2025:

Montana FWP Block Management program opens millions of acres of private land for hunters across the state

Montana FWP's Block Management program partners with landowners to open 6.2 million acres of private land to hunters. Enrollment ends June 1.

www.kbzk.com

 

[Treeshark]

Agency was saying 6.2 million in 2025

I don’t believe that is accurate. Their own Budget Information Guide states 6.8 in 2025:

Page 35

 

[Treeshark]

@Ben Lamb- if the 6.2m number was an accurate denominator, that would be roughly 10% increase.

That would no doubt be very noteworthy- wouldn’t it also be odd that there was no mention of that growth in the article you posted?

 

[Ben Lamb]

@Ben Lamb- if the 6.2m number was an accurate denominator, that would be roughly 10% increase.

That would no doubt be very noteworthy- wouldn’t it also be odd that there was no mention of that growth in the article you posted?

Maybe it isn't accurate. I've only seen the numbers through 24.the 2025 budget would kick in for fy 26 & 27, so there's also a potential that those acres enrolled weren't opened just yet but the contracts were in place.

Good catch. I'll dig around on it a bit more.

 

[Treeshark]

The discrepancy could be based on what they’re measuring: private land enrolled vs total land opened (which could include public land becoming accessible).

I may me wrong as well, but a 10%+ movement would be very surprising.