Montana Hunting Seasons

Hunting Seasons

See our comprehensive list of hunting seasons for animals of all types and all areas of Montana. We’ve made it easier than ever to find the dates you can hunt, length of the season, what type of hunting is allowed and other important details. Plus, check out hunting resources and direct links to Montana state resources.

Montana Deer Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Archery Season (Statewide)

September 6 – October 19, 2025

Youth Deer/Elk Season

October 18–19, 2025

General Deer Season (Rifle)

October 25 – November 30, 2025

Muzzleloader Deer (B Licenses)

Concurrent with general season (used as antlerless license for additional deer)

Montana Elk Seasons 2025-2026

Archery Elk

September 6 – October 19, 2025

General Elk Season (Rifle)

October 25 – November 30, 2025 (bull and antlerless based on license type)

Muzzleloader Elk

December 6–21, 2025 (select districts; B license holders)

Montana Turkey Seasons 2025-2026

Fall Turkey

September 6 – October 19, 2025 (archery); October 25 – November 30, 2025 (general)

Spring Turkey

April 11 – May 31, 2026 (spring general; both youth and regular)

Montana Antelope Season 2025

General Antelope

October 11 – October 26, 2025 (general; license required)

Montana season dates and licenses are issued by hunting district. Visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for complete regulations.

Montana Deer Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Archery Season

Archery: September 6 – October 19, 2025

General (Rifle) Season

General Firearms: October 25 – November 30, 2025
Youth Deer Only Weekend: October 16 – 17, 2025

Muzzleloader Season

Muzzleloader: December 13 – 21, 2025

Shoulder Seasons

Shoulder Season (antlerless): August 15, 2025 – February 15, 2026 (applicable districts only)

Montana Turkey Hunting Seasons 2025-2026

Fall Turkey 2025

Fall Turkey: September 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Spring Turkey 2026

Spring Turkey: Dates set annually by Montana FWP – typically mid-April through May. Check the official website for confirmed 2026 spring turkey dates.

Note: Montana big game seasons and district-specific regulations vary. Always verify your hunting district’s specific dates and permit requirements with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) before heading afield.

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Interactive Montana Hunting Season Discovery

Use the forms below to filter by game, type of hunting, time of year, bag / tag limits and much more. We’ve gone through the state of Montana Hunting Seasons’s hunting season data and simplified it so you can easily find what you’re looking for. Please note, that information realated Montana state hunting is subject to change so be sure to check the state resources linked below the table before heading out to hunt.

Season :

Season Begins :

Season Ends :

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Season	Season Begins	Season Ends	Game	Hunting Type	Type Details	Zone	Bag / Tag	Other Info	Season Length
	August 15, 2025	November 13, 2025	Antelope	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	91
	September 3, 2025	October 7, 2025	Antelope	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	35
	October 8, 2025	November 13, 2025	Antelope	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	37
	April 15, 2025	June 15, 2025	Bear	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	The end date may vary by unit (May 31 â June 15). Check unit-specific regulations for closing dates.	62
	September 3, 2025	September 14, 2025	Bear	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	12
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Bear	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	74
	November 15, 2025	February 15, 2026	Bison	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	These dates represent the âgeneralâ season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.	93
	January 1, 2025	December 31, 2025	Coyote	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	No limit.	No closed season.	365
	September 1, 2025	October 30, 2025	Sandhill Crane	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Special permits.	60
	October 1, 2025	November 27, 2025	Sandhill Crane	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	3 daily and 9 in possession.	Over-the-counter. Persons wishing to hunt Sandhill Cranes in the Central Flyway outside of the special license drawing areas must obtain a free permit available from all statewide Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices and license providers.	58
	September 3, 2025	September 14, 2025	Deer	Archery	None	Hunting Districts (150, 151, 280)	N/A	*HD 316 does not have an Archery Only Season	12
	September 3, 2025	October 16, 2025	Deer	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	44
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Deer	General	None	Hunting Districts (150, 151, 280, 316)	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	74
	October 20, 2025	October 21, 2025	Deer	General	Youth	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	2
	October 22, 2025	November 27, 2025	Deer	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	37
	September 1, 2025	October 30, 2025	Mourning Dove	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	15 daily and 45 in possession	Check state DNR for more details.	60
	October 1, 2025	December 25, 2025	Ducks	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Standard bag limit.	Please note Pacific Flyway exceptions.	86
	October 1, 2025	October 9, 2025	Ducks	General	None	Zone 2.	During the first 9 days of the regular duck season in both Zones (Oct 1 â Oct 9), the daily bag may include 2 additional blue-winged teal. The possession limit may not exceed three times the daily bag limit of any species and sex.	Check state DNR for more details.	9
	October 1, 2025	January 5, 2026	Ducks	General	None	Zone 1.	During the first 9 days of the regular duck season in both Zones (Oct 1 â Oct 9), the daily bag may include 2 additional blue-winged teal. The possession limit may not exceed three times the daily bag limit of any species and sex.	Check state DNR for more details.	97
	October 22, 2025	January 17, 2026	Ducks	General	None	Zone 2	During the first 9 days of the regular duck season in both Zones (Oct 1 â Oct 9), the daily bag may include 2 additional blue-winged teal. The possession limit may not exceed three times the daily bag limit of any species and sex.	Check state DNR for more details.	88
	December 26, 2025	January 13, 2026	Ducks	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Standard bag limit excluding scaup.	Please note Pacific Flyway exceptions.	19
	August 15, 2025	February 15, 2026	Elk	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Dates vary, please check regulations.	185
	September 3, 2025	October 16, 2025	Elk	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	These dates represent the âgeneralâ season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.	44
	September 3, 2025	September 14, 2025	Elk	Archery	None	Hunting Districts (150, 151, 280)	N/A	*HD 316 does not have an Archery Only Season	12
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Elk	General	None	Hunting Districts (150, 151, 280, 316)	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	74
	October 22, 2025	November 27, 2025	Elk	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	37
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Mountain Goat	General	None	Some districts vary;	N/A	check regulations for more information.	74
	September 24, 2025	September 25, 2025	Goose	General	Youth	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Only licensed youth ages 15 and under.	2
	September 24, 2025	September 25, 2025	Goose	General	Youth	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Only licensed youth ages 15 and under	2
	October 1, 2025	October 9, 2025	Goose	General	None	Zone 2.	Daily limit: 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Rossâs) and 5 dark geese (all other geese). The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	9
	October 1, 2025	January 13, 2026	Goose	General	None	Zone 1.	Daily limit: 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Rossâs) and 5 dark geese (all other geese). The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	105
	October 1, 2025	January 13, 2026	Goose	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Daily limit: 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Rossâs) and 5 dark geese (all other geese). The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	105
	October 22, 2025	January 25, 2026	Goose	General	None	Zone 2.	Daily limit: 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Rossâs) and 5 dark geese (all other geese). The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	96
	September 1, 2025	January 1, 2026	Mountain Grouse	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Bag Limit: 3 in aggregate daily. Possession limit is four times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	123
	September 1, 2025	September 30, 2025	Sage Grouse	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Bag Limit: 2 daily. Possession limit is two times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	30
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Moose	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	These dates represent the âgeneralâ season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.	74
	September 3, 2025	October 16, 2025	Mountain Lion	Archery	Archery without dogs	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	44
	October 22, 2025	November 27, 2025	Mountain Lion	General	without dogs	Resident and nonresident hunters with a General Mountain Lion License, a Limited Special Mountain Lion License OR an Unlimited Special Lion License may harvest any legal lion in any open lion management unit statewide during the fall season without dogs.	When the harvest reaches a number nearest to 20 percent of the quota. In all areas, the combined archery only and fall season without dogs, male and female mountain lion harvest from all license holders	â¢ Use of dogs is prohibited during the fall season. â¢ The fall mountain lion season will close: -On November 27, 2022, OR –	37
	December 1, 2025	April 14, 2026	Mountain Lion	General	with hounds	Not specified. Check state resources.	When a male quota, female quota/subquota, or overall quota is reached in a LMU, the mountain lion season for that subquota or quota in that lion management unit will close upon 24-hours notice, but no later than April 14.	Check state DNR for more details.	135
	December 1, 2025	April 14, 2026	Mountain Lion	General	with hounds	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Hunters need to check harvest closure information frequently, for updated information.	135
	September 24, 2025	September 25, 2025	Pheasant (Youth)	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Legally licensed youth ages 15 and under when accompanied by a nonhunting adult at least 18 years of age. Mentors for Apprentice Hunters must be at least 21 years of age.	2
	October 8, 2025	January 1, 2026	Pheasant	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	Bag Limit: 3 cock pheasants daily. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.	Check state DNR for more details.	86
	September 3, 2025	September 14, 2025	Sheep	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	These dates represent the âgeneralâ season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.	12
	September 15, 2025	November 27, 2025	Sheep	General	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	These dates represent the âgeneralâ season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations.	74
	April 15, 2025	May 31, 2025	Turkey	Shotgun/Archery only.	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Male Wild Turkey	47
	September 1, 2025	January 1, 2026	Turkey	General	None	Not valid in Region 4.	N/A	Either-sex Wild Turkey.	123
	September 4, 2024	September 14, 2024	Wolf	Archery	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	N/A	Check state DNR for more details.	11
	September 15, 2024	March 15, 2025	Wolf	General Rifle	None	any open WMU statewide	Resident and nonresident hunters and trappers may harvest any wolf in any open WMU statewide during the archery only, general and trapping seasons. For hunting, a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, only a Trapping License is require	Check state DNR for more details.	182
	November 29, 2024	March 15, 2025	Wolf	Trapping	None	Not specified. Check state resources.	A person can take up to 20 wolves with no more than 10 via hunting and no more than 10 via trapping (maximum harvest of 20 wolves per person). For hunting, a separate license is required for each wolf. For trapping, only a Trapping License is required.	Check state DNR for more details.	107
Season	Season Begins	Season Ends		Hunting Type		Zone