Do you love outdoors and want to discover Montana’s boundless wildlands? There’s a deep-rooted wild game culture in the state, where you can track many different large and small critters. For a triumphant and law-abiding hunt, studying the forthcoming Montana hunting periods for 2024-2025 is essential.

Seasons differ based on the type of animal. Bigger animals have their seasons in the colder months, while smaller ones can be hunted throughout the year.

This guide is your first step to plan your Montana outdoor adventure. Let’s look at key times for taking big animals and give you links to understand rules and get your hunting license.

Plan Your 2024-2025 Montana Hunting Trips

Big Games

Deer and Elk

Archery: September 7 – October 20
Youth (deer only): October 17-18
General: October 26 – December 1
Shoulder seasons: Broad season running from August 15 – February 15
Muzzleloader: December 14-22

Backcountry Hunting

Archery (HD’s 150, 280): September 3 – 14
General (HD’s 150, 280): September 15 – December 1
HD 316: No archery-only season

Antelope

Archery: September 7th – October 11th
General: October 12th – November 10th
900 Series: August 15th – November 10th

Moose

September 15th – December 1^st

Bear

Spring: April 15 – May 31st (June 15th in some areas)
Spring Hound: April 15 – May 25th
Spring Hound Training: May 26th – June 15th
Archery: September 7th – 14th
Fall: September 15th – December 1st

Mountain Lion

Archery (without dogs): September 3rd – October 16th
Fall (without dogs): October 26th – December 1st
Winter: December 1st – April 14th
Resident Hound Training: December 2nd – April 14th

Wolf

Archery: September 3rd – 14th
General: September 15th – March 15th
Trapping: November 28th – March 15th

Mountain Goat

September 15th – December 1st

Bighorn Sheep

General: September 15th – December 1st
Archery: September 7th – 14th

Bison

November 15th – February 15th

Migratory & Waterfowls

Wilson’s Snipe

September 1 – December 16

Mourning Dove

September 1 – October 30

Youth Waterfowl

September 24-25

Duck, Coot and Falconry Seasons

Pacific Flyway: September 30 – January 12
Central Flyway – Zone 1: September 30 – January 4
Central Flyway – Zone 2: September 30 – October 8 & October 21 – January 16

Geese: (including Falconry)

All Zones: September 30 – January 12
Central Flyway – Zone 2 (additional): September 30 – October 8 & October 21 – January 24

Sandhill Cranes

Special Drawing License: September 1 – October 30
OTC License: September 28 – November 27

Upland Birds

Mountain Grouse, Partridge, Sharp-tailed Grouse

September 1 – January 1

Ring-necked Pheasant

October 12 – January 1

Sage Grouse

September 1 – September 30

Falconry (All Upland Birds)

September 1 – March 31

Youth Hunt

September 21-22

Furbearer

Beaver

Districts 1, 2, & 3: November 1 – April 15, 2024
Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7: September 1 – May 31, 2024

Bobcat

(all districts)
December 1 – February 15, 2024

Swift Fox

Only in specific portions of District 6:
November 1 – January 15, 2024

Fisher & Marten

Open areas only:
December 1 – February 15, 2024

Mink, Muskrat, Otter

All Districts
November 1 – April 15, 2024

License & Permit

License	Age	Cost	Validity	Where to Obtain
Hunting License	16+	$10.50	July 1 – June 30	License agents, online
Youth Game License	10-16	$6*	Calendar year	License agents, online

Permits	Age	Cost	Validity	Where to Obtain
Rifle Permit	10+ (passed Hunter Education)	$6* (Youth)	July 1 – June 30	License agents, online
Deer Permits (Zone-specific, Antlerless, Antlered, DRS Multi-Zone)	10+	$12* (Youth)	Varies by permit	License agents, online (some require property access)
Turkey Permits (Fall/Spring)	10+	$12* (Youth)	Varies by permit	License agents, online (Spring – application only)
Coyote & Fox Permit	10+ (except Apprentice License holders)	$2	Jan. 2 – Mar. 15	Available mid-December
Pheasant & Quail Stamp	16+	$40	Valid through Dec. 31	License agents, online
HIP Certification	10+	$2	Sept. 1 – Apr. 15	License agents, online
NJ Waterfowl Stamp (for residents 16+)	16+	$10	July 1 – April 15	License agents, online
Federal Duck Stamp (required for 16+)	16+	$25	July 1 – June 30	License agents, online (or some post offices, fws.gov)
Farmer Permits (Free)	Varies	N/A	Varies by permit	County ag extension offices, online (with CID number)

Duplicate or Lost License/Permit | All | $2 | N/A | License agents, online

General Regulations

Hunting on Sundays is restricted to private land and specific zones for bowhunting deer.
Using bait is mostly forbidden, apart from times when you’re taking elevated deer.
Training dogs? You can do it in daylight, just not in the open firearm deer season.
Want to hunt using raptors? You need a falconry permit and a valid hunting license, but only if you’re 14 or older.
Remember, using drones to hunt, track, or bug wildlife is not allowed.

Safety

Remember, there are Safety Zones. In these areas, you can’t discharge a firearm or have a nocked arrow.
You need to obey certain draw weight guidelines for bows and crossbows.
Stick to crossbow safety advice. This way, you can avoid accidents.

Firearm Restrictions

It’s against the law to have silencers, intelligent rifles, and target tracking systems.
You can’t carry loaded guns in cars.
Firing guns over roads or highways is not allowed.

Ammunition

For chasing cottontail rabbits, hares, and gray squirrels using air guns is totally fine. You just need to have guns that are .177 caliber and must achieve at least 600 fps. If a
Muzzleloader is your choice, you need a Rifle Permit and it should operate with black powder or something equal.
Shotguns? Make sure they’re 10-gauge or less, and can hold no more than 3 shells. This shotgun rule changes for some waterfowl seasons.

Hunter Conduct

The law demands hunters to wear bright orange while pursuing specific types of game with firearms.
Harassing hunters is a criminal act.
Trespassing is against the law as well; make sure to get permission if you’re on lands that are marked or being used for farming.
The wasteful misuse of game meat, is, moreover, forbidden.

Wildlife Regulations

Specific animals like bobcats and ruffed grouse maintain a closed season.
Correct labeling is needed when holding game taken down by someone else.
Sales for certain wild animal parts are limited

Youth Hunting

Youngsters from 10 to 16 need a youth hunting license and grown-ups watching them until they turn 14.

Additional Prohibitions

They must not discharge guns near buildings or playgrounds.
Pursuing or finding game animals using cars or lights is also not allowed.

Top Montana Game Locations by Species

Montana, often called “The Treasure State,” is a paradise for those who love to hunt, offering remarkable scenes. Big-evergreen wildlands, differing animal habitats, and plenty of living creatures make Montana great for new and expert hunters alike.

Now, let’s dive into some top spots in Montana for different big game species:

Elk

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest: In the southwest corner of Montana. Elk love the great cover here. That’s why hunters do too. Indeed, about half of Montana’s yearly elk gathering comes from here.
Gallatin National Forest: This one’s close to Bozeman in the southwest. Picture a blend of pine forests, open fields and mountains. An ideal home for elk.
Bob Marshall Wilderness: This massive wilderness in west-central Montana is for the pros. Backcountry hunting demands a lot, but it’s a unique experience for seasoned elk hunters.

Mule Deer

Seeley-Swan Valley: In between the Swan and Mission Ranges, this place is popular for mule deer hunting. Evergreen woods mixed with clear meadows offer shelter and food for deer.
Big Belt Mountains: Found to the north of Helena, this area is famous for abundant mule deer.
Missouri Breaks: Unusual landscapes of round hills, coulees, and grassy lands, along the Missouri River, draw in mule deer.

Whitetail Deer

Eastern Montana: This area is home to vast plains and farmlands, perfect for the whitetail deer. Popular spots are the Milk River Basin and Missouri River Breaks.
Yellowstone River Valley: This valley has a variety of habitats that whitetail deer love, from riverside areas and farmlands to wooded slopes.

Antelope

Antelope Flats: It’s in southeastern Montana, known for wide, grassy plains and rolling hills. Plenty of antelopes live here.
Huntington Basin: This spot in the heart of Montana is great for antelope games. Especially when it’s breeding season!
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge lies in northeastern Montana. It keeps important antelope habitats safe. So, it’s a hit among hunters!

Bighorn Sheep

Crazy Mountains: The wild peaks in Montana’s south-central area are home to some of the state’s biggest herds of bighorn sheep. However, grabbing a bighorn sheep permit can be tough because of limited availability.
Absaroka-Beartooth Mountains: This range, bordering Montana and Wyoming, provides chances for taking bighorn sheep. But, be ready for tricky landscapes.

Moose

Cabinet Mountains: Situated in the northwest part of Montana, are well-known for being a home to moose.
Swan Mountains: The Swan Mountains present an opportunity to spot these majestic creatures amidst stunning natural beauty.
Gallatin National Forest: In the regions of Gallatin National Forest, especially the higher, rugged terrains, moose sightings are quite usual.

Author
Recent Posts

Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

Montana’s Hunting Horizons: 2024 Updated Seasons and Guidelines