Hunting Regulations in Montana
Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and tips — updated 2026-03-05
Always verify current regulations before hunting. Regulations change frequently. Visit the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website for the most up-to-date rules, emergency closures, and special regulations.
🎫 Hunting License Fees
2025–2026Resident License
Non-Resident License
Senior Discount
License year begins March 1. Non-resident deer combo includes B license. Non-resident elk combo is by draw only for many units — application required. Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B licenses available June 15 for nonresidents. Federal Duck Stamp and HIP for waterfowl. Upland bird license required. Wolf tag included with hunting license.
🦌 Season Dates & Bag Limits
| Species | Season | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer / Mule Deer - Archery | September 6 – October 19 | 1 per tag (A or B license) | Antlered per license specifications | Archery Sept 6–Oct 19. General firearms Oct 25–Nov 30. Muzzleloader Dec 13-21. Shoulder seasons Aug 15–Feb 15 in certain hunting districts. Backcountry HDs 150,280,316 open Sept 15. Both whitetail and mule deer abundant. |
| White-tailed Deer / Mule Deer - Firearms (General) | October 25 – November 30 | 1 per A license + 1 per B license | Antlered per license type | General season Oct 25–Nov 30. Youth Hunt Oct 16-17. B licenses allow antlerless deer harvest in designated HDs. Non-residents had major fee increases in 2026; Deer Combo to $760. |
| Elk | September 6 – November 30 | 1 per license | Antlered or antlerless per license type | Elk archery Sept 6–Oct 19. General elk Oct 25–Nov 30 (same as deer). Many non-resident units by draw only — critical to apply early. Resident elk OTC in many hunting districts. Elk B licenses by draw in quota areas. Application deadline typically in June. |
| Antelope (Pronghorn) | August 15 – November 9 | 1 per license | Antlered or antlerless per license | Archery Sept 6–Oct 10. General Oct 11–Nov 9. 900 Series licenses for designated antelope districts. Many non-resident antelope licenses by draw. Excellent numbers in eastern Montana. |
| Wild Turkey - Spring | April 15 – May 31 | 2 bearded birds (1 per day) | Bearded birds only | Spring turkey April 15–May 31. Fall turkey Sept 1–Jan 1. Montana's turkey population has expanded significantly. Western river valleys and eastern agricultural areas both productive. |
| Black Bear - Spring | April 15 – June 15 | 1 per license year | None | Spring black bear April 15–May 31 (or June 15 in some areas). Fall season Sept 15–Nov 30. Archery Sept 6-14. Hound training spring season. Montana has excellent bear numbers in forested mountain zones. |
| Bighorn Sheep | September 15 – November 30 | 1 per lifetime permit | Ram restrictions vary by unit | By draw only — one of the most coveted tags in North America. Archery Sept 6-14. Very few permits issued per year; multi-year wait. Montana has world-class Rocky Mountain bighorn populations. |
| Moose | September 15 – November 30 | 1 per permit | Antlered or antlerless per permit | By draw only. Archery Sept 6-14. Application deadline typically April–May. Montana moose hunts are rare opportunities in river drainages and high-elevation willows. |
| Waterfowl - Ducks | September 27 – January 9 | 7 per day (species sub-limits apply) | None | Three zones with varying dates. Early Canada goose season in September. Federal Duck Stamp and HIP required. Eastern Montana prairie potholes and river systems are productive. |
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov). Last updated: 2026-03-05. Regulations may have changed — always verify with the official agency.
About Hunting in Montana
Montana is the crown jewel of western big game hunting, offering world-class elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and black bear hunting across 30 million acres of public land. The state's elk population is the largest in the lower 48 states, and its combination of over-the-counter licenses (in many resident districts) and limited draw tags for trophy units makes it uniquely accessible. The Rocky Mountain Front along the eastern slope of the Rockies produces legendary bull elk during September's archery season.
Non-resident hunters face significantly higher costs in 2026, with the Elk Combo license rising to $1,112 and the Deer Combo to $760. Many premium elk units require a draw with competitive odds. However, OTC (over-the-counter) general licenses remain available for non-residents in many hunting districts, providing genuine wilderness elk hunting. Mule deer hunters find exceptional opportunities in the eastern breaks and river coulees, while pronghorn antelope are abundant on the open prairies. Montana's draw system for bighorn sheep, moose, and goat represents once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Best Times to Hunt in Montana
🌱 Spring
Spring bear April–June; turkey April–May; shed antler hunting (permit required 2026)
☀️ Summer
Scouting; application results; bear and archery preparation
🍂 Fall
Premier big game season: archery Sept; general Oct–Nov; muzzleloader Dec
❄️ Winter
Late muzzleloader deer Dec; wolf season; late waterfowl Jan
🎯 Expert Hunting Tips for Montana
- For OTC archery elk, focus on the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Flathead and Lewis & Clark counties — September bugles echo through old-growth forests and success rates for prepared hunters are strong.
- Mule deer hunters should target the Missouri River Breaks in Fergus County during the general season in October — mature bucks drop into deep coulees and canyon bottoms during the rut.
- Apply for elk draw permits in Hunting District 680 (Sun River) for outstanding numbers; the Sun River Wildlife Management Area has some of the highest elk densities in the state.
- Pronghorn hunters in the Triangle region (Choteau, Conrad, Shelby area) find excellent OTC antelope opportunities on vast short-grass prairie with minimal hunting pressure compared to Wyoming.
🏛️ Official Wildlife Agency
🗺️ Nearby States (West)
Also available: Fishing Regulations in Montana — season dates, bag limits, size limits, and license info.