Montana is a hunting enthusiast’s dream come true with its abundant game herds, long hunting seasons, and vast expanse of public and private lands. The hunting seasons in Montana are designed by the state’s game managers to offer a diverse range of hunting opportunities while ensuring the sustainability of its wildlife. This guide aims to provide hunters with the most straightforward information on the Montana hunting seasons 2023-2024, including the dates, rules, bag limits, license requirements, and useful links. Whether you are a seasoned hunter or new to the sport, this guide has all the information you need to plan your next hunting trip to Montana. So, let’s dive in and start exploring the hunting opportunities in the state.
Content Highlights
Montana Hunting Seasons
Montana provides a wonderful hunting experience for big game hunters, with many possibilities to hunt antelope, bison, black bear, elk, and mountain lions. Residents and non-residents alike may easily get hunting licenses and permits via the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department’s online platform or at numerous locations around the state. Non-residents may also purchase combination permits for elk and deer hunting. A permission may be acquired to legally recover a deer, moose, elk, or antelope that is inadvertently killed in a car collision.
Montana Hunting Seasons
Hunting Season for Deer and Elk in Montana
The Montana Deer and Elk hunting season is a much-anticipated event for hunters in the area. The following are the specific dates for the special Elk shoulder season, according to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
Antelope Season
Montana Antelope Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
900 series
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Archery
Saturday, September 02, 2023
Friday, October 06, 2023
General
Saturday, October 07, 2023
Sunday, November 12, 2023
Deer and Elk Season
Montana Deer and Elk Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Archery
Saturday, September 02, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Youth (deer only)
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
General
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Shoulder seasons
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons
Muzzleloader
Saturday, December 09, 2023
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Archery (Backcountry - HD's 150, 280)
Sunday, September 03, 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
General (Backcountry - HD's 150, 280)
Friday, September 15, 2023
Monday, November 27, 2023
Archery (Backcountry - HD 316)
Sunday, September 03, 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Achery only
Moose Season
Montana Moose Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Black Bear (Spring)
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Big Horn Sheep Season
Montana Big Horn Sheep Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery
Saturday, September 02, 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
General
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Mountain Goat Season
Montana Mountain Goat Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Mountain Goat
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Bison Season
Montana Bison Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Bison
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Bear Season
Montana Bear Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Black Bear (Spring)
Saturday, April 15, 2023
May 31 or June 15
Black Bear (Spring Hound Hunting)
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Black Bear (Spring Hound Training)
Thursday, June 01, 2023
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Black Bear (Archery)
Saturday, September 02, 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Black Bear (Fall)
Friday, September 15, 2023
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Mountain Lion Season
Montana Mountain Lion Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery (without dogs)
Sunday, September 03, 2023
Monday, October 16, 2023
Fall (without dogs)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Monday, November 27, 2023
Winter
Friday, December 01, 2023
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Resident Hound Training Season
Saturday, December 02, 2023
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Wolf Season
Montana Wolf Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Archery
3-Sep
14-Sep
General
15-Sep
15-Mar
Trapping
28-Nov
15-Mar
Migratory Birds Season
Monatana Migratory Birds Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Common (Wilson's) Snipe (Statewide)
Friday, September 01, 2023
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Mourning Dove (Statewide)
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, October 30, 2023
Youth Waterfowl (Statewide)
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Ducks (including Mergansers) (Pacific Flyway)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Coots (Pacific Flyway)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Geese (Pacific Flyway)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers), Coots and Geese (Pacific Flyway)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Ducks (including Mergansers) (Central Flyway - Zone 1)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Friday, January 05, 2024
Ducks (including Mergansers) (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Monday, October 09, 2023
Ducks (including Mergansers) (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Coots (Central Flyway - Zone 1)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Friday, January 05, 2024
Coots (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Monday, October 09, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 1)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Monday, October 09, 2023
Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots (Central Flyway - Zone 1)
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Friday, January 05, 2024
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Monday, October 09, 2023
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Falconry: Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 1)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Falconry: Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Monday, October 09, 2023
Falconry: Geese (Central Flyway - Zone 2)
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Sandhill Cranes Season
Montana Sandhill Cranes Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Special Drawing License
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, October 30, 2023
OTC License
Sunday, October 01, 2023
Monday, November 27, 2023
Upland Birds Season
Montana Upland Birds Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Note
Mountain Grouse
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
Partridge
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
(except for portion of Carbon County, where it is Sept 1 - Jan 10)
Ring-necked Pheasant
Saturday, October 07, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
Youth Hunt
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
Sage Grouse
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, September 30, 2024
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
Falconry
Friday, September 01, 2023
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Montana Furbearer (Trapping) Season.
Furbearer Trapping Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Nov. 1 (Beaver)
Apr. 15, 2023 (Beaver)
Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Dec. 1 (Bobcat)
Feb. 15, 2023 (Bobcat)*
Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Sept. 1 (Beaver)
May 31, 2023 (Beaver)
Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Dec. 1 (Bobcat)
Mar. 1, 2023 (Bobcat)*
Portion of Trapping District 6
Nov. 1 (Swift Fox)
Jan. 15, 2023 (Swift Fox)*
Fisher, Marten
Dec. 1 (Where open)
Feb. 15, 2023 (Where open)*
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Nov. 1
Apr. 15, 2023*
Turkeys Season
Montana Turkey Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Spring
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Fall
Friday, September 01, 2023
Monday, January 01, 2024
Swan Season
Montana Swan Season
Hunting Start Date
Hunting End Date
Pacific Flyway
to be adopted at the April Commission Meeting
to be adopted at the April Commission Meeting
Central Flyway
to be adopted at the April Commission meeting
to be adopted at the April Commission meeting
Hunting Season for Game Birds and Waterfowl in Montana.
Montana Waterfowl Season
Start Date
End Date
Mountain Grouse
Sept. 1
Jan. 1
Partridge
Sept. 1
Jan. 1
Pheasant
Oct. 7
Jan. 1
Sage Grouse
Sept. 1
Sept. 30
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Sept. 1
Jan. 1
Special Drawing License (Sandhill Crane)
Sept. 1
Oct. 30
OTC License (Sandhill Crane)
Oct. 1
Monday, November 27, 2023
Dates for the season may vary by zone. Please visit the website for the appropriate State Authority.
Hunting Season for Montana Predators.
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has the following regulations addressing the shooting of predators:
According to Montana law, predators include coyotes, weasels, (striped) skunks, and civet cats (spotted skunk). Federal or state laws or regulations do not apply to predator shooting. Both resident and nonresident hunters in Montana are free to shoot predators at any time without a license.
To kill predators on state school trust grounds, you need a conservation license or a license for recreational use of state school trust lands. To shoot predators on private property, permission must be acquired.
Hunting License Fees
Licenses Types
Price
Note
Base Hunting License Fee
$10
This is an annual fee and will be assessed at the time the hunter purchases or applies for his/her first hunting license.
Here are a few FAQs related to the Montana Hunting Season:
Which kind of hunting are permitted in Montana?
Big game creatures including antelope, bison, black bears, elk, and mountain lions may all be hunted in Montana.
How can I purchase hunting licenses and permits for Montana hunting season?
The Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department of Montana offers online hunting license and permit sales to both residents and non-residents. They may also be purchased from a variety of businesses spread out over the state.
Does Montana provide any opportunities for young hunters?
Yes, Montana has a program called apprentice hunting that enables kids 10 and older to buy hunting permits without first completing a hunter education course. They must go with an adult hunter who is at least 21 years old. Additionally, youth weekends for deer, duck, and pheasant hunting are available in Montana.
Are there any special hunting opportunities for mature bucks during the hunting season?
The greatest times to hunt mature bucks during the rut are the final few weeks of the hunting season. Various hunting guides may be used to get information about hunting areas and tactics.
