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Montana Hunting Season Dates 2026–27

Season openers, closers, and tag requirements by species. Always confirm against Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you hunt. Dates can change.

License: resident $28 · nonresident $70. Species tags and permits are extra. See each section below.

Deer (Mule Deer and White-tailed Deer) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only - statewide general frameworkSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026General Deer License plus Bow and Arrow License
Youth two-day hunt, deer onlyOct 15, 2026Oct 16, 2026General Deer License, youth
General season - statewide general frameworkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Deer License or Deer B License
Heritage muzzleloader seasonDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026Unfilled General Deer License or Deer B License valid for the district
Backcountry archery - HDs 150 and 280: Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316Sep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026General Deer License plus Bow and Arrow License
Backcountry general - HDs 150, 280, 316: Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316Sep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Deer License

Wild Turkey Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Spring - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programApr 15, 2026May 31, 2026General Turkey License or Regional Turkey License; shotgun or archery only
Spring - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landApr 25, 2026May 31, 2026General Turkey License or Regional Turkey License; shotgun or archery only
Fall - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027General Turkey License (not valid in Region 4) or Regional Turkey License
Fall - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landSep 11, 2026Jan 1, 2027General Turkey License (not valid in Region 4) or Regional Turkey License

Black Bear Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Spring season - general frameworkApr 15, 2026Jun 15, 2026Black Bear License; bear identification test required
Spring hound training seasonMay 26, 2026Jun 15, 2026Hound training; see Black Bear Management Unit table for which BMUs allow hounds
Archery only - fallSep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Black Bear License plus Bow and Arrow License
General season - fallSep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026Black Bear License

Elk Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only - statewide general frameworkSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026General Elk License plus Bow and Arrow License
General season - statewide general frameworkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Elk License or Elk B License
Heritage muzzleloader seasonDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026Unfilled General Elk License or Elk B License valid for the district
Backcountry archery - HDs 150 and 280: Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316Sep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026General Elk License plus Bow and Arrow License
Backcountry general - HDs 150, 280, 316: Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316Sep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Elk License

Bighorn Sheep Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery onlySep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Bighorn Sheep License, drawn (apply by May 1)
General seasonSep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026Bighorn Sheep License, drawn (apply by May 1)

Bison Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
General seasonNov 15, 2026Feb 28, 2027Bison License, drawn (apply by May 1)

Sandhill Crane Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Special drawing licences (280-01, 284-01, 380-01, 390-01, 480-01, 586-01, 599-00)Sep 1, 2026Oct 30, 2026Sandhill Crane License, drawn (apply by June 1); successful applicants receive two licences
Over-the-counter permit - Central Flyway outside the drawing areasOct 3, 2026Nov 29, 2026Free sandhill crane permit from any FWP office or licence ambassador

Mourning Dove Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide - single segmentSep 1, 2026Oct 30, 2026Montana Migratory Bird License plus Conservation and Base Hunting Licenses; HIP required

Grouse (Mountain, Sharp-tailed and Sage Grouse) Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Mountain grouse (blue/dusky, ruffed, Franklin's) - all huntersSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Sharp-tailed grouse - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Sharp-tailed grouse - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landSep 11, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Sage grouse - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programSep 1, 2026Sep 30, 2026Upland Game Bird License plus free Supplemental Sage Grouse Hunting Permit
Sage grouse - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landSep 11, 2026Sep 30, 2026Upland Game Bird License plus free Supplemental Sage Grouse Hunting Permit

Shiras Moose Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery onlySep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Moose License, drawn (apply by May 1)
General seasonSep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026Moose License, drawn (apply by May 1)

Mountain Goat Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery onlySep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Mountain Goat License, drawn (apply by May 1)
General seasonSep 15, 2026Nov 29, 2026Mountain Goat License, drawn (apply by May 1)

Mountain Lion Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only, without dogs - all LMUs except 150 and the Scapegoat portion of 280Sep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026Mountain Lion License plus Bow and Arrow License
Fall season, without dogs - all LMUs except 150 and the Scapegoat portion of 280Oct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026Mountain Lion License
Winter season - all LMUs except 150 and the Scapegoat portion of 280Dec 1, 2026May 25, 2027Mountain Lion License; hounds permitted where the LMU allows
Archery only - LMU 150 and Scapegoat Wilderness portion of LMU 280: Mountain Lion Management Unit 150 and the Scapegoat Wilderness portion of LMU 280Sep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Mountain Lion License plus Bow and Arrow License
Winter season - LMU 150 and Scapegoat Wilderness portion of LMU 280: Mountain Lion Management Unit 150 and the Scapegoat Wilderness portion of LMU 280Sep 15, 2026May 25, 2027Mountain Lion License

Mule Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only - statewide general frameworkSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026General Deer License plus Bow and Arrow License
General season - statewide general frameworkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Deer License

Hungarian (Gray) and Chukar Partridge Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Statewide - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programSep 1, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Statewide - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landSep 11, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Carbon County area - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access program: Carbon County partridge areaSep 1, 2026Jan 10, 2027Upland Game Bird License
Carbon County area - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Carbon County partridge areaSep 11, 2026Jan 10, 2027Upland Game Bird License

Ring-necked Pheasant Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Youth pheasant huntSep 19, 2026Sep 20, 2026Licensed youth aged 15 and under accompanied by a nonhunting adult 18 or older; mentors for apprentice hunters must be 21 or older
Season licence - residents on all lands, and nonresidents on private land not in an access programOct 10, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License, resident or nonresident season licence
Season licence - nonresidents on public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landOct 20, 2026Jan 1, 2027Upland Game Bird License, nonresident season licence
Nonresident 3-day licence - private land not in an access programOct 17, 2026Jan 1, 2027Nonresident 3-day Upland Game Bird License ($60); not valid for sage grouse at any time, nor for pheasant during the opening week
Nonresident 3-day licence - public land or access-program land: Nonresidents hunting public land or hunting-access-program landOct 20, 2026Jan 1, 2027Nonresident 3-day Upland Game Bird License ($60)

Pronghorn Antelope Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
900/399 seriesAug 15, 2026Nov 8, 2026900 or 399 series Antelope License, drawn (apply by June 1)
Archery only - statewide general frameworkSep 5, 2026Oct 9, 2026Antelope License plus Bow and Arrow License
General season - statewide general frameworkOct 10, 2026Nov 8, 2026Antelope License, drawn (apply by June 1)

Common (Wilson's) Snipe Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
StatewideSep 1, 2026Dec 16, 2026Montana Migratory Bird License plus Conservation and Base Hunting Licenses; HIP required

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots and Geese Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Special youth waterfowl hunt - statewideSep 26, 2026Sep 27, 2026Lawfully licensed youth aged 10-15; apprentice youth must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult mentor 21 or older, other youth by a nonhunting adult 18 or older
Ducks including mergansers - Pacific Flyway (scaup open)Oct 3, 2026Dec 27, 2026Migratory Bird License plus Federal Duck Stamp plus HIP
Ducks including mergansers - Pacific Flyway (scaup closed)Dec 28, 2026Jan 15, 2027Migratory Bird License plus Federal Duck Stamp plus HIP
Coots - Pacific FlywayOct 3, 2026Jan 15, 2027Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Geese - Pacific FlywayOct 3, 2026Jan 15, 2027Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Falconry: ducks, coots and geese - Pacific FlywayOct 3, 2026Jan 15, 2027Falconry permit plus Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Ducks including mergansers, and coots - Central Flyway Zone 1Oct 3, 2026Jan 7, 2027Migratory Bird License plus Federal Duck Stamp plus HIP
Geese - Central Flyway Zone 1Oct 3, 2026Jan 15, 2027Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Ducks including mergansers, and coots - Central Flyway Zone 2 (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Migratory Bird License plus Federal Duck Stamp plus HIP
Ducks including mergansers, and coots - Central Flyway Zone 2 (second segment)Oct 24, 2026Jan 19, 2027Migratory Bird License plus Federal Duck Stamp plus HIP
Geese - Central Flyway Zone 2 (first segment)Oct 3, 2026Oct 11, 2026Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Geese - Central Flyway Zone 2 (second segment)Oct 24, 2026Jan 27, 2027Migratory Bird License plus HIP
Swan by special drawing - Central Flyway (licence 684-20, quota 499): Central Flyway, both zonesOct 3, 2026Jan 7, 2027Swan Hunting License, drawn (apply by June 1); mandatory Swan Bill Measurement Card within 72 hours
Spring light goose conservation order - Central Flyway only: Central Flyway, both zonesMar 1, 2027May 15, 2027See the separate 2026 Light Goose Regulations

White-tailed Deer Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only - statewide general frameworkSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026General Deer License plus Bow and Arrow License
General season - statewide general frameworkOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026General Deer License or Deer B License
Heritage muzzleloader seasonDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026Unfilled General Deer License or Deer B License valid for the district

Gray Wolf Season Dates

SeasonOpensClosesTag
Archery only seasonSep 5, 2026Sep 14, 2026Wolf License plus Bow and Arrow License
General hunting seasonSep 15, 2026Mar 15, 2027Wolf License (up to 10 Class E-1 or E-2 licences per hunter)
Trapping season - inside the federal court order area: Inside the geographic scope identified by federal court orderJan 1, 2027Feb 15, 2027Trapping License plus wolf trapper certification; free Supplemental Trapping Permit
Trapping season - outside the federal court order area: Outside the geographic scope identified by federal court orderNov 30, 2026Mar 15, 2027Trapping License plus wolf trapper certification
Verify before you hunt. These dates are compiled for planning and can change between when they're published and when the season opens, and many states vary dates by unit, zone, or WMU. Always confirm with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before heading out. Nothing here is legal advice.
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