HUNTING SEASONS IN MONTANA 2025–26: Deer Hunting, Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 MT hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer and elk to moose, turkey, and ducks. Whether you’re glassing bulls atop alpine ridges, slipping through timber for bear, or running decoys for ducks along the Yellowstone, Montana’s vast plains, mountains, and riparian corridors deliver world‑class big game and small game under clear regulations. What Is There to Hunt in Montana? Montana supports a legendary roster of game species: Big Game: Elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black and grizzly bear, antelope Upland & Small Game: Ruffed and dusky grouse, pheasant, sharptail grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, squirrels Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, canvasback), geese, swans, coots, rails, mourning dove Predators & Furbearers: Coyote, wolf (depredation hunts), fox, beaver, muskrat, bobcat Montana’s diverse terrain—from eastern prairies to western mountains—offers opportunities year‑round for rifle, bow, and shotgun hunters. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Montana? On private lands with landowner permission, several species carry no closed season and no bag limits: coyote, prairie dogs, beaver, and muskrat. These off‑season hunts aid predator control and ecosystem balance. Public‑land rules vary by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Montana Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Seasons differ by unit and draw status—always check FWP regulations before planning. Elk Archery: Aug 15 – Sept 30, 2025 General Rifle: Oct 1 – Nov 10, 2025 Secondary Rifle: Nov 15 – Dec 5, 2025 Muzzleloader: Oct 11 – Oct 20, 2025 Most elk tags require a draw; general over‑the‑counter tags available in specific WMUs. Bag limit: one elk per season. Deer (Mule & Whitetail) Archery: Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025 General Gun: Nov 1 – Nov 30, 2025 Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – Dec 10, 2025 Secondary Gun: Jan 5 – Jan 15, 2026 Montana offers generous archery and rifle windows. Bag limits vary by unit: typically one buck per season. Moose Draw Only: Sept 15 – Oct 31, 2025 Moose hunts are limited‑entry; only one moose per hunter in a lifetime. Tags allocate through a lottery draw. Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat Draw Only: Aug 10 – Dec 31, 2025 Trophy hunts for sheep and goat require years of preference points; permit only one animal per season. Bear (Black & Grizzly) Black Bear Spring: Apr 15 – June 15, 2025 Bear Fall: Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2025 Grizzly (WMU XX): Early Sept, draw only Bear seasons allow bait, hound, and archery methods per WMU regulation. Harvest reporting is mandatory. Montana Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Birds & Small Mammals Grouse & Partridge: Sept 1 – Dec 31, 2025 Pheasant: Nov 1 – Dec 31, 2025 (specific WMUs) Rabbit & Hare: Oct 1 – Mar 31, 2026 Shotgunners and upland hunters traverse grasslands and woodlots for fast‑paced small game action. Waterfowl & Migratory Ducks & Geese: Oct 15 – Nov 20 & Dec 1 – Jan 31, 2026 Youth Waterfowl Day: Early Sept weekend Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Nov 9, 2025 Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; HIP, Federal Duck Stamp, and state waterfowl license required Montana’s irrigation reservoirs and riverine wetlands host migrating flocks—decoys and non‑toxic shot required. Bag Limits by Species Elk, Moose, Sheep, Goat: 1 per permit Deer: 1 buck per season (unit dependent) Bear: 1 per season (black or grizzly) Grouse/Partridge: 8 per day Pheasant: 3 per day; 6 in possession Ducks: 6 per day; species sub‑limits Geese: 5 per day Rabbit & Hare: 8 per day each Coyote & Furbearers: No limits, landowner permission required Bag limits support healthy wildlife populations and sustainable big game and small game hunts. License & Tags Information for Montana Hunters (2025–26) All hunters need a valid Montana FWP license and appropriate tags: Resident Combination License: $25 Nonresident Combo: $445 Big Game Tags: $12–$387; draw required for elk, moose, sheep, goat Deer & Antelope Tags: $12 (resident); $165 (nonresident) Waterfowl Validation & HIP: Required for ducks and geese Hunter Education: Mandatory for hunters born after Jan 1 1972 Licenses fund habitat conservation and wildlife management; apply in draw window and purchase validations prior to hunts. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Montana authorizes: Archery: Compound, recurve, crossbows (archery seasons) Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) Muzzleloaders: Single‑shot black‑powder firearms Dogs & Bait: Allowed for bear and furbearers in designated areas; waterfowlers use decoys Follow weapon regulations for caliber, draw weight, and non‑toxic shot requirements. Regulations & Resources Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations cover: Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset WMU Boundaries & Maps: Detailed online by management unit Harvest Reporting: Big game and turkey within 24 hrs Special Areas: Tribal lands, wilderness areas, CWD zones Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP): https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/seasons With structured seasons, clear bag limits, and accessible license systems, Montana delivers unparalleled hunting adventures for elk, deer, moose, turkey, waterfowl, and predators. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure proper tags, and immerse yourself in Big Sky State’s rich wildlife legacy during the 2025–26 season.