Montana Hunting Seasons – Updated

Welcome to the Montana Hunting Seasons page. Updated US Hunting Seasons for 2024-2023.

As part of our comprehensive guide to US Hunting Seasons By State on this page, you will find out “When Is Hunting Season for Montana?”

There is also general information on the different hunting seasons for a wide range of wild game species. You will find links to the relevant State Authority so you can make sure you have all the correct legal obligations in place before you start your hunt.

The Montana hunting season provides the hunter with some amazing big game opportunities. Species to be hunted in Montana during hunting season include:-

Deer, Elk, Moose, Bison, Black Bear, Wolf, Antelope, Mountain Lion, Bighorn Sheep, Turkey, and a range of small game and game birds.

IMPORTANT. All care has been taken in preparing this hunting season information for you. Please check the relevant State Authority’s Website for further information and any changes to current US Hunting Season Regulations. We have provided a link to each States hunting season website for your convenience.

Montana Deer and Elk Hunting Season

Montana Deer and Elk Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

According to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks there is a special Elk shoulder season as follows.

“A shoulder season is a firearms season that occurs outside the 5-week general firearms and archery seasons. While most shoulder seasons focus on antlerless elk harvest on private land and are not intended to replace or reduce harvest during the existing archery or 5-week general firearms seasons, a few are meant to address problematic distribution of elk.”

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

deer (General Firearms Season) Oct 26-Dec 1
Deer (General Firearms Backcountry Season) Sept 15-Dec 1
Deer (General Bow Season) Sept 7-Oct 20
Deer (General Bow Backcountry Season) Sept 7-14
Deer (Youth Hunt) Oct 17-18
Elk (General Firearms Season) Oct 26-Dec 1
Elk (General Firearms Backcountry Season) Sept 15-Dec 1
Elk (General Bow Season) Sept 7-Oct 20
Elk (General Bow Backcountry Season) Sept 7-14
Elk (Youth Hunt) Oct 17-18

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Montana Turkey Hunting Season

Montana Big Game Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Spring Season April 13-May 19
Fall Season Sept 1-Jan 1

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

 Montana Big Game Hunting Season

Montana Big Game Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Moose Sept 15-Dec 1
Antelope (900 Series) Aug 15-Nov 10
Antelope (Bow) Sept 7-Oct 11
Antelope (General firearms) Oct 12-Nov 10
Bison Nov 15-Feb 15
Wolf (Firearms) Sept 15-March 15
Wolf (Bow) Sept 7-14
mountain goat Sept 15-Dec 1
Mountain Lion (Fall) Oct 26-Dec 1
Mountain Lion (Winter) Dec 1-Apr 14
Mountain Lion (Bow) Sept 7-Oct 20
Bighorn Sheep (Firearms) Sept 15-Dec 1
Bighorn Sheep (Bow) Sept 7-Sept 14

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Montana Game Bird Hunting Season

Montana Big Game Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Pheasant Oct 12-Jan 1
Mountain Grouse Sept 1-Jan 1
Sage Grouse Sept 1-30
Sharp-tailed Grouse Sept 1-Jan 1
Partridge Sept 1-Jan 1

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Montana Black Bear Hunting Season

Montana Black Bear Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

Hunting Category

Hunting Season 2024-2023*

Spring (Firearms Season) Apr 15-June 15
Fall (Firearms Season) Sept 15-Dec 1
Fall (Bow Season) Sept 7-14

* Season dates may vary by zone. Please check the relevant State Authority Website.

Montana Predators Hunting Season

Montana Predators Hunting Season
Source: unsplash.com

According to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks the rules regarding the shooting of Predators is as follows:-

Montana statute classifies predators as coyote, weasel, (striped) skunk, and civet cat (spotted skunk). Predator shooting is not regulated by federal or state law or regulation. Predators can be shot in Montana year-round without a license by both resident and nonresident hunters.

A Conservation License, or a state school trust lands recreational use license, is required to shoot predators on state school trust lands. Permission must be obtained to shoot predators on private land.

”Nonresidents are required to purchase a Nonresident Trapping License to take nongame or predatory species using traps and/or snares. See the Deer, Elk and Antelope regulations below for more information about take of predatory species.”

I hope you have found this State hunting season information helpful in planning your next great hunting adventure. Please feel free to share this page with your hunting buddies. In addition to these US Hunting Seasons by State pages, you may be interested in these posts.