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 2025 is essential.

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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 Montana Hunting Trips

Montana Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

🦌 Deer & Elk

Archery

Sept 6 – Oct 19, 2025
General combo tags valid
Open statewide (check HD rules)

Rifle

Oct 25 – Nov 30, 2025
Youth-only: Oct 16 – 17, 2025
Backcountry (HD 150, 280, 316): Sept 15 – Nov 30

Muzzleloader

Dec 13 – 21, 2025

🐻 Black Bear

Spring

Apr 15 – May 31, 2025
Extended to Jun 15 in some zones
Hound training: May 26 – Jun 15

Fall

Archery: Sept 6 – 14
General: Sept 15 – Nov 30

🏜️ Antelope (Pronghorn)

900 Series: Aug 15 – Nov 9
Archery: Sept 6 – Oct 10
General: Oct 11 – Nov 9

⛰️ Mountain Species

Mountain Goat & Bighorn Sheep

Archery: Sept 6 – 14
General: Sept 15 – Nov 30

Moose

Archery: Sept 6 – 14
General: Sept 15 – Nov 30

🦃 Turkey

Spring

Apr 15 – May 31, 2025
Shotgun/archery only
Special tag required

Fall

Sept 1, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026
Either sex in select districts

🦫 Furbearers & Trapping

Districts 1-3

Beaver: Nov 1 – Apr 15, 2026
Bobcat: Dec 1 – Feb 15, 2026*

Districts 4-7

Beaver: Sept 1 – May 31, 2026
Bobcat: Dec 1 – Mar 1, 2026*

Others

Mink, Muskrat, Otter: Nov 1 – Apr 15, 2026*
Fisher, Marten: Dec 1 – Feb 15, 2026*

*Quotas may close early

🐦 Upland Birds

Grouse

Mountain/Sharp-tailed: Sept 1 – Jan 1, 2026
Sage: Sept 1 – 30, 2025

Game Birds

Pheasant: Oct 11 – Jan 1, 2026
Partridge: Sept 1 – Jan 1, 2026
Youth weekend: Sept 27 – 28, 2025

Falconry

All species: Sept 1 – Mar 31, 2026

🐇 Small Game

Cottontail: Sept 1 – Mar 31 (10/day)
Snowshoe Hare: Sept 1 – Mar 31 (5/day)
Fox Squirrel: Sept 1 – Jan 31 (5/day)
Ground Squirrel: Year-round (no limit)

🦆 Waterfowl

Ducks & Coots

Central Zone 1: Sept 27 – Jan 2, 2026
Central Zone 2: Split season (check dates)
Pacific Flyway: Sept 27 – Jan 10, 2026

Geese

Central Zone 1: Sept 27 – Jan 10, 2026
Central Zone 2: Split season (check dates)
Pacific Flyway: Sept 27 – Jan 10, 2026

Youth Weekend

Sept 27 – 28, 2025 (sunrise to noon)

Other

Dove: Sept 1 – Oct 30, 2025
Sandhill Crane: Sept 1 – TBD
Swan: Oct 5 – Nov 29 (Pacific)
Snipe: Sept 1 – Dec 16, 2025

🐺 Predators

Wolf

Archery: Sept 2 – 14, 2025
General: Sept 15 – Mar 15, 2026
Trapping: Varies by region

Mountain Lion

Archery (no dogs): Sept 3 – Oct 16
Fall (no dogs): Oct 25 – Nov 30
Winter (with dogs): Dec 1 – Apr 14, 2026

Bison

Nov 15, 2025 – Feb 15, 2026
Permit required

All dates subject to regulations. Check FWP for updates.

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.