Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released updated information Aug. 20 regarding changes to public access for Southern Pine Plantation Montana, LLC Block Management Areas (BMA) in northwest Montana for the 2026 season. 

With it comes new requirements for those wishing to access the BMA in the Wolf Prairie Ranch area west of Libby. The area is being called the SPP MT North BMA.

Access is more restrictive because the area is now a Type 2 Block Management Area, requiring written permission prior to access.

To get permission, it must be obtained in person at WPR Ranch Headquarters, 15337 Wolf Creek Road, 40 miles east of Libby. After obtaining written permission, users must notify ranch staff by email or text message before each visit to the BMA.

For those wanting to get permission, it can be done on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, permission can be obtained by visiting the WPR Ranch headquarters from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 12-14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. That's just prior to the youth deer hunt season Oct. 15-16.

In addition, written permission must be displayed in the vehicle while accessing the BMA.

Southern Pine lands that were previously administered under a single access area are now divided into three distinct BMAs: SPP MT - Ashley Lake; SPP MT - McGinnis and SPP MT - North.

FWP officials say this change was made to improve public access management and ensure more accurate reporting of hunter activity on each individual property. Hunters and other recreational users should review the current maps and rules for the specific BMA they plan to visit, as access requirements differ among the three areas. 

Season-long hang tags are specific to each BMA and cannot be used interchangeably. Users should confirm they have the correct hang tag for the BMA they intend to access. Updated maps and rules are available on the FWP website, at the FWP Region 1 headquarters and onsite at BMA sign‑in boxes.

Fortunately, BMA access in the McGinnis BMA is not nearly as restrictive as in Wolf Prairie. It is a Type 1 BMA with season-long permission. Beginning Sept. 1, users must obtain a yellow Season‑Long Permission Hang Tag before accessing the property.

The hang tags and permission details are available at designated sign‑in boxes or at the Region 1 headquarters in Kalispell. The yellow hang tag must be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror at all times while on the BMA.

For the Ashley Lake BMA, the requirements are the same as the McGinnis unit, with the only exception being a blue Season‑Long Permission Hang Tag must be displayed.

Key reminders about each area are as follows:

SPP MT North BMA

- Type 2 BMA, requiring written permission prior to access.

- Permission must be obtained in person at WPR Ranch Headquarters, 15337 Wolf Creek Road, Libby. After obtaining written permission, users must notify ranch staff by email or text message before each visit to the BMA.

- Regular permission hours: Second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Additional 2026 permission dates include Oct. 12-14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

- Written permission must be displayed in the vehicle while accessing the BMA.

SPP MT McGinnis BMA

- Type 1 BMA with season‑long permission.

- Beginning  Sept. 1, 2026, users must obtain a yellow Season‑Long Permission Hang Tag before accessing the property.

- Hang tags and permission details are available at designated sign‑in boxes or at the Region 1 headquarters.

- The yellow hang tag must be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror at all times while on the BMA.

SPP MT Ashley Lake BMA

- Type 1 BMA with season‑long permission.

- Beginning September 1, 2026, users must obtain a blue Season‑Long Permission Hang Tag before accessing the property.

- Hang tags and permission details are available at designated sign‑in boxes or at the FWP Region 1 headquarters.

- The blue hang tag must be displayed from the vehicle’s rearview mirror at all times while on the BMA.

For more information about block management opportunities in Region 1, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/bma.