Montana 2025-2026 Hunt Planning Guide – Districts, Species & Deadlines

Are you gearing up for a thrilling outdoor adventure in Big Sky Country? Montana offers some of the most diverse and exciting hunting experiences in North America, with various species and vast public lands awaiting passionate sportspeople. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about Montana’s hunting seasons, including key dates, licensing requirements, wildlife zones, and essential regulations to ensure a successful and legal harvest.

Montana Hunting Season Overview

Montana’s vast landscapes provide outstanding habitat for numerous game species, from majestic elk and deer to waterfowl and upland birds. The state carefully manages these resources through a well-organized system of hunting districts, seasons, and licensing requirements designed to maintain healthy wildlife populations while providing quality hunting opportunities.

Whether you’re a longtime Montana resident or planning your first expedition to this wildlife-rich state, understanding the seasons and regulations is crucial for a rewarding experience. Let’s dive into what you need to know for the current hunting year.

📅 MT Hunting Quick Reference Summary Table

Species	Season Opens	Season Closes	Method
🦌 Deer & Elk (Archery)	September 6	October 19	Bow only
🦌 Deer & Elk (General)	October 25	November 30	Rifle/Bow
🐻 Black Bear (Spring)	April 15	May 31/June 15	All methods
🦃 Turkey (Spring)	April 15	May 31	Shotgun/Archery
🦆 Waterfowl	September 27	January 10	Shotgun
🐦 Upland Birds	September 1	January 1	Shotgun

🦌 Big Game: Archery & Rifle Seasons

Deer & Elk

The crown jewels of Montana sport provide incredible opportunities across diverse terrain:

🏹 Archery Season:

Dates: September 6 – October 19, 2025
Tags: General combo licenses available
Zones: Statewide (check HD restrictions)

🔫 General Rifle Season:

Dates: October 25 – November 30, 2025
Youth Deer Only: October 16 – 17, 2025
Special Backcountry (HD 150, 280, 316): September 15 – November 30

🎯 Muzzleloader Season:

Dates: December 13 – 21, 2025

Black Bear

Spring and fall opportunities await:

🌸 Spring Season:

Dates: April 15 – May 31 (or June 15 in some areas)
Hound Training: May 26 – June 15

🍂 Fall Season:

Archery: September 6 – 14
General: September 15 – November 30

Antelope (Pronghorn)

Prairie speed demons require special permits:

900 Series: August 15 – November 9
Archery: September 6 – October 10
General: October 11 – November 9

Mountain Species

Limited draw opportunities for premium trophies:

🐐 Mountain Goat & 🐑 Bighorn Sheep:

Archery: September 6 – 14
General: September 15 – November 30

🫎 Moose:

Archery: September 6 – 14
General: September 15 – November 30

🦃 Turkey Season: Spring, Fall & Youth

Spring Gobbler Chase

Dates: April 15 – May 31, 2025
Method: Shotgun and archery only
License: Special turkey tag required

Fall Opportunities

Dates: September 1 – January 1, 2026
Either sex: Check specific hunting districts
Method: Shotgun and archery

Youth Programs

Special opportunities exist for young hunters – check with local FWP offices for specific youth seasons and requirements.

🦫 Furbearers & Trapping

Winter trapping provides both recreation and predator management:

Districts 1, 2 & 3:

Beaver: November 1 – April 15, 2026
Bobcat: December 1 – February 15, 2026*

Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7:

Beaver: September 1 – May 31, 2026
Bobcat: December 1 – March 1, 2026*

Other Species:

Mink, Muskrat, Otter: November 1 – April 15, 2026*
Fisher, Marten: December 1 – February 15, 2026* (where open)

*Seasons may close early when quotas are reached

🐦 Upland Birds

Montana’s diverse upland opportunities span multiple species:

Grouse Species

Mountain Grouse: September 1 – January 1, 2026
Sharp-tailed Grouse: September 1 – January 1, 2026
Sage Grouse: September 1 – September 30, 2025

Game Birds

Ring-necked Pheasant: October 11 – January 1, 2026
Partridge: September 1 – January 1, 2026
Youth Special: September 27 – 28, 2025

Falconry Season

All Upland Species: September 1 – March 31, 2026

🐰 Other Small Game

Species	Season Opens	Season Closes	Daily Limit
Cottontail Rabbit	September 1	March 31	10
Snowshoe Hare	September 1	March 31	5
Fox Squirrel	September 1	January 31	5
Ground Squirrel	Year-round	Year-round	No limit

🦆 Migratory Birds

Ducks, Mergansers & Coots

Central Flyway:

Zone 1: September 27 – January 2, 2026
Zone 2: September 27 – October 6 & October 26 – January 21, 2026

Pacific Flyway:

Statewide: September 27 – January 10, 2026

Geese

Central Zone 1: September 27 – January 10, 2026
Central Zone 2: September 27 – October 6 & October 26 – January 29, 2026
Pacific Flyway: September 27 – January 10, 2026

Youth Waterfowl Weekend

Dates: September 27 – 28, 2025
Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to noon

🦢 Other Waterfowl

Specialty Species

🕊️ Mourning Dove: September 1 – October 30, 2025
🦆 Sandhill Crane: September 1 – TBD (federal frameworks pending)
🦢 Swan: October 5 – November 29 (Pacific Flyway)
🐦 Common Snipe: September 1 – December 16, 2025

🐺 Additional Game Species

Predators & Carnivores

🐺 Wolf:

Archery: September 2 – 14, 2025
General: September 15 – March 15, 2026
Trapping: Varies by region (court restrictions apply)

🦁 Mountain Lion:

Archery (no dogs): September 3 – October 16
Fall (no dogs): October 25 – November 30
Winter (with dogs): December 1 – April 14, 2026

Bison

Season: November 15 – February 15, 2026
Special permits required

🗺️ Montana Hunting Zones and Maps

Montana divides the state into hunting districts specific to each species. These districts help wildlife managers implement targeted regulations based on local population levels and habitat conditions.

For detailed maps of Montana’s hunting districts, visit the Montana FWP Hunt Planner Map. This interactive resource allows you to:

View district boundaries for all game species
Check regulations specific to each district
Access information about public lands and Block Management Areas
Download maps for offline use

Remember that hunting district boundaries may differ between species, so always verify you’re looking at the correct map for your target game.

🎟️ Montana Hunting License Information

Resident License Requirements and Fees

All Montana hunters must purchase a Conservation License ($8 for adults, $4 for youth/seniors) and Base Hunting License ($10) before buying species-specific licenses.

Key resident license prices include:

General Deer: $16 (adult), $8 (youth/senior)
General Elk: $20 (adult), $10 (youth/senior)
Sportsman License (includes deer, elk, fishing, upland): $62 (adult), $31 (youth/senior)
Turkey: $6.50
Upland Game Bird: $7.50 (adult), $3.75 (youth/senior)
Wolf: $12
Black Bear: $19

Non-Resident License Requirements and Fees

Non-residents must apply through drawings for combination licenses, with applications due March 1-April 1:

General Deer Combination: $744
General Elk Combination: $1,078
General Big Game (Deer & Elk) Combination: $1,278

Other non-resident license prices include:

Turkey: $115
Upland Game Bird: $110
Wolf: $50
Black Bear: $350

Special youth, college student, and military discounts are available. See the Montana FWP website for complete pricing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Montana Hunting

Do I need a tag for every animal I harvest?

Yes, you need the appropriate license/tag for each animal you plan to harvest. Some licenses allow for the harvest of multiple animals of the same species (like Deer B licenses), but each animal requires proper tagging.

Can I hunt on public lands in Montana?

Yes, Montana offers extensive public hunting opportunities on federal lands (National Forests, BLM), state lands (Wildlife Management Areas, State Trust Lands), and Block Management Areas (private lands enrolled in public access programs).

Is night hunting allowed in Montana?

Night hunting is generally prohibited in Montana, with limited exceptions for certain predators and pest species. Always check current regulations for specific restrictions.

How do I validate my tag after harvesting an animal?

Immediately after harvesting an animal, you must validate your tag by cutting out the date and attaching it to the animal. Report your harvest when required for certain species.

Do I need special permission to hunt on private land?

Yes, Montana law requires permission from landowners before hunting on any private property. The Block Management Program offers facilitated access to enrolled private lands.

Related Resources

Looking for more hunting information? Check out these related resources:

Elk Hunting Tips
Wyoming Hunting Seasons
Idaho Hunting Seasons

Final Thoughts on Montana Hunting

Montana truly earns its reputation as a premier hunting destination with diverse wildlife, spectacular scenery, and vast public access opportunities. The state’s careful wildlife management ensures sustainable populations for future generations while providing exceptional experiences for today’s hunters.

Whether you’re targeting trophy elk in the mountains, mule deer on the prairie, or upland birds in the grasslands, proper preparation is key. Take time to research your hunting areas, understand the regulations for your specific district, and secure the necessary licenses well in advance of your trip.

Remember that weather conditions can change rapidly in Montana, especially during fall hunting seasons, so prepare for everything from summer heat to winter blizzards depending on your hunting dates. And always practice ethical hunting by respecting landowner rights, following fair chase principles, and making clean, humane harvests.

Happy hunting in the treasure state!

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