87-2-525. Nonresident college student licenses. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), a student who is not a resident, as defined in 87-2-102, and who meets the qualifications of subsection (3) may purchase discounted hunting and fishing licenses as follows:

(a) If the student's state of residence does not offer resident-rate licenses to Montanans who are full-time college students in that state, the student may purchase the following for one-half of the cost:

(i) one of the following:

(A) a Class B-10 nonresident big game combination license;

(B) a Class B-11 nonresident deer combination license; or

(C) a nonresident elk-only combination license;

(ii) if available:

(A) a Class B-8 nonresident deer B tag; and

(B) a Class B-12 nonresident antlerless elk B tag license.

(b) If the student's state of residence offers resident-rate licenses to Montanans who are full-time college students in that state and as long as a drawing for the equivalent resident license is not required, the student may purchase for the same price as the equivalent resident license:

(i) (A) any of the following:

(I) a Class B-30 nonresident college student fishing license;

(II) a Class B-31 nonresident college student upland game bird license;

(III) a Class B-32 nonresident college student deer A tag; and

(IV) a Class B-33 nonresident college student elk tag; or

(B) a Class B-34 nonresident college student big game combination license that entitles the holder to all the privileges of the licenses listed in subsection (1)(b)(i)(A) and a nonresident conservation license;

(ii) a Class B-35 nonresident college student migratory game bird license;

(iii) a Class B-36 nonresident college student turkey tag;

(iv) a Class B-37 nonresident college student deer B tag; and

(v) a Class B-38 nonresident college student antlerless elk B tag.

(2) (a) The holder of a license purchased pursuant to this section is entitled to use that license to hunt or fish, as relevant, and to possess the carcass of the species taken in the manner prescribed by the rules and regulations of the commission and department.

(b) A student may not purchase a license pursuant to this section for more than 4 license years.

(3) (a) To qualify for a license issued pursuant to this section, a student may not possess or apply for any resident hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses from another state or country or exercise resident hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges in another state or country and must:

(i) be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at a postsecondary educational institution in Montana, with 12 credits or more being considered full-time;

(ii) be currently enrolled as a full-time graduate student at a postsecondary educational institution in the state, with 9 credits or more being considered full-time unless otherwise defined by the academic department in which the student is enrolled; or

(iii) (A) have a natural or adoptive parent who currently is a Montana resident, as defined in 87-2-102;

(B) have a high school diploma from a Montana public, private, or home school or can provide certified verification that the applicant has a high school equivalency diploma issued in Montana; and

(C) be currently enrolled as a full-time student at a postsecondary educational institution in another state.

(b) A student is not eligible to receive a license pursuant to this section if the student is enrolled in a degree program that is exclusively delivered online.

(4) Application for a license issued pursuant to this section may be made after the second Monday in September. To qualify, the applicant shall supply a copy of a valid student identification card and verification of current full-time enrollment at a postsecondary educational institution as required by the department.

(5) Class B-10 and Class B-11 licenses issued pursuant to this section are not included in the limit on the number of available Class B-10 and Class B-11 licenses issued pursuant to 87-2-505 and 87-2-510. Nonresident elk-only combination licenses issued pursuant to this section are in addition to nonresident elk-only combination licenses available for sale pursuant to 87-2-511.