Montana 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Montana's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026.
Shoulder Season Deer opens Aug 15, 2026 and closes Feb 15, 2027.
Shoulder Season Elk opens Aug 15, 2026 and closes Feb 15, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Montana FWP.
- firearm deer
- Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
- archery deer
- Aug 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
- elk
- Aug 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Montana FWP before hunting.
Proposed 2026-27
federal openings
in Montana
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing hunting and fishing access changes at 3 stations in Montana. Public comment closes June 26, 2026.
Deer
Deer
Shoulder Season
Aug 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons
Deer
Archery
Sep 5-Oct 18, 2026
Also applies to Elk
Deer
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
HD 316 does not have an archery only season
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Deer
Regular Firearm
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Deer
Backcountry General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280, 316
Zone: HDs 150, 280, 316
Deer
Youth
Oct 15-16, 2026
Youth, deer only
Deer
Regular Firearm
Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026
Also applies to Elk
Deer
Muzzleloader
Dec 12-20, 2026
Turkey
14 listed rowsTurkey
Spring
Apr 15-May 31, 2026
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Turkey
Fall
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Wild Turkey
Spring - Male Only (Shotgun/Archery) - Region 7
Apr 15-May 31, 2022
Shotgun/Archery only.
Zone: Region 7: portions of Garfield, Richland, Dawson, McCone counties south of HWY 200, Rosebud, Treasure, Prairie, Custer, Powder River, Wibaux, Fallon, and Carter counties
Wild Turkey
Spring - Male Only (Shotgun/Archery) - Region 5
Apr 15-May 31, 2022
Shotgun/Archery only. Spring only license for Region 5.
Zone: Region 5: Wheatland, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Golden Valley, Musselshell, Yellowstone, and Bighorn counties
Wild Turkey
Spring - Male Only (Shotgun/Archery)
Apr 15-May 31, 2022
Shotgun/Archery only. Male Wild Turkey. Over-the-Counter General Turkey License.
Zone: General Hunting Area (Statewide, see map)
Wild Turkey
Spring - Male Only (Shotgun/Archery) - Region 2
Apr 15-May 31, 2022
Shotgun/Archery only. Rifles not allowed in Deer & Elk HD 260.
Zone: Region 2: Missoula and Ravalli counties
Wild Turkey
Spring - Male Only (Shotgun/Archery) - Region 1
Apr 15-May 31, 2022
Shotgun/Archery only. Not valid on Flathead Indian Reservation. Turkeys mostly on private land; hunters must get permission.
Zone: Region 1: Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders and Lake counties and portions of Sanders and Missoula counties within Region 1
Wild Turkey
Fall - Either-sex - Region 7
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Either-sex Wild Turkey.
Zone: Region 7: portions of Garfield, Richland, Dawson, McCone counties south of HWY 200, Rosebud, Treasure, Prairie, Custer, Powder River, Wibaux, Fallon, and Carter counties
Wild Turkey
Fall - Either-sex
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Either-sex Wild Turkey. Over-the-Counter General Turkey License. Not valid in Region 4.
Zone: General Hunting Area (Statewide, see map), not valid in Region 4
Wild Turkey
Fall - Either-sex - Region 1
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Either-sex Wild Turkey. Not valid on Flathead Indian Reservation.
Zone: Region 1: Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders and Lake counties and portions of Sanders and Missoula counties within Region 1
Wild Turkey
Fall - Female or Beardless - Region 1
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Female or beardless Wild Turkey.
Zone: Region 1
Wild Turkey
Fall - Either-sex - Region 2
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Either-sex Wild Turkey. Rifles not allowed in Deer & Elk HD 260.
Zone: Region 2: Missoula and Ravalli counties
Show 2 more turkey rows
Wild Turkey
Fall - Female or Beardless - Region 2 (up to 4 licenses)
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Female or beardless Wild Turkey. Up to 4 licenses per hunter.
Zone: Region 2: Missoula and Ravalli counties
Wild Turkey
Fall - Female or Beardless - Region 2 Extended
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Female or beardless Wild Turkey.
Zone: Missoula, Ravalli and Mineral counties
Bear
Black Bear
Spring
Apr 15-Jun 15, 2026
Spring season closes May 31 or June 15 depending on area
Black Bear
Hound Training
May 26-Jun 15, 2026
Spring Hound Training season
Black Bear
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
Fall archery season
Black Bear
Fall General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Elk
Elk
Shoulder Season
Aug 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
Primary purpose is to reduce elk populations in areas over population objective. Check individual HDs in 2026 Regulations for specific details.
Elk
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
HD 316 does not have an archery only season
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Elk
Archery
Sep 5-Oct 18, 2026
Also applies to Deer
Elk
Backcountry General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280, 316
Zone: HDs 150, 280, 316
Elk
General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Elk
General
Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026
Also applies to Deer
Elk
Muzzleloader
Dec 12-20, 2026
Moose
Moose
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
Also applies to Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat
Moose
General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Also applies to Bighorn Sheep and Mountain Goat
Waterfowl
15 listed rowsCoots
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 1
Coots
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Coots
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 20, 2026
2025 season. Split season: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 2
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 1
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 20, 2026
2025 season. Split season: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 2
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots
Falconry
Sep 24, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 1
Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots
Falconry
Sep 24, 2025-Jan 20, 2026
2025 season. Split season: Sept. 24 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 2
Ducks (including Mergansers), Coots, Geese
Falconry
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
Falconry
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 1
Geese
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
Falconry
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 28, 2026
2025 season. Split season: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 28
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 2
Show 3 more waterfowl rows
Geese
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 16, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 1
Geese
General
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 28, 2026
2025 season. Split season: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 28
Zone: Central Flyway Zone 2
Waterfowl
Youth
Sep 27-28, 2025
2025 season Youth Waterfowl
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Pheasant
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Only
Sep 24-25, 2022
Youth only: 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. Shotgun or bow only.
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Oct 8, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Shotgun or bow only. Cocks only.
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Hunt
Sep 19-20, 2026
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Oct 10, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Grouse
Hungarian Partridge
General
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Chukar partridge occur primarily in Carbon County. Shotgun or bow only.
Zone: Statewide (general)
Mountain Grouse
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Mountain Grouse (Blue, Ruffed, Franklin's)
General
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Blue, Ruffed and Franklin's Grouse. May be taken with shotgun (not larger than 10 gauge), bow, crossbow, firearm, or qualifying air rifle.
Zone: Statewide
Sage Grouse
General
Sep 1-30, 2022
Closed West of the Continental Divide. Shotgun or bow only.
Zone: East of Continental Divide
Sage Grouse
General
Sep 1-30, 2026
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
General
Sep 1, 2022-Jan 1, 2023
Closed West of the Continental Divide. Shotgun or bow only.
Zone: East of Continental Divide
Sharp-tailed Grouse
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Furbearer
14 listed rowsBeaver
Trapping
Sep 1, 2025-May 31, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Beaver
Trapping
Nov 1, 2025-Apr 15, 2026
2025 season
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Beaver
Trapping
Sep 1, 2026-May 31, 2027
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7
Beaver
Trapping
Nov 1, 2026-Apr 15, 2027
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2, & 3
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 1, 2025-Feb 15, 2026
2025 season. May close earlier when quota is reached.
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 1, 2025-Mar 1, 2026
2025 season. May close earlier when quota is reached.
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 1, 2026-Mar 1, 2027
May close earlier when quota is reached
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7
Bobcat
Trapping
Dec 1, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
May close earlier when quota is reached
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2, & 3
Fisher, Marten
Trapping
Dec 1, 2025-Feb 15, 2026
2025 season. May close earlier when quota is reached.
Zone: Where open
Fisher, Marten
Trapping
Dec 1, 2026-Feb 15, 2027
May close earlier when quota is reached
Zone: Where open
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Trapping
Nov 1, 2025-Apr 15, 2026
2025 season. May close earlier when quota is reached.
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Trapping
Nov 1, 2026-Apr 15, 2027
May close earlier when quota is reached
Show 2 more furbearer rows
Swift Fox
Trapping
Nov 1, 2025-Jan 15, 2026
2025 season. May close earlier when quota is reached.
Zone: Portion of Trapping District 6
Swift Fox
Trapping
Nov 1, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
May close earlier when quota is reached
Zone: Portion of Trapping District 6
Small Game
Upland Game Birds
Falconry
Sep 1, 2026-Mar 31, 2027
Migratory Birds
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
General
Sep 1-Dec 16, 2025
2025 season
Zone: Statewide
Light Goose
Conservation Order
Mar 1-May 15, 2026
Spring Light Goose Conservation Order season
Mourning Dove
General
Sep 1-Oct 30, 2025
2025 season
Zone: Statewide
Sandhill Crane
Special Permit
opens Sep 1, 2026
For Rocky Mountain Sandhill Crane populations. Close date TBD.
Sandhill Crane
Over the Counter
opens Sep 28, 2026
For mid-continent Sandhill Crane populations. Close date TBD.
Swan
Special License
Oct 4, 2025-Jan 8, 2026
2025 season. Special license only.
Zone: Central Flyway
Swan
Special License
Oct 11-Dec 5, 2025
2025 season. Special license only.
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Pronghorn
Antelope
900/399 Series
Aug 15-Nov 8, 2026
900/399 series permits
Antelope
900 Series
Aug 15-Nov 8, 2026
900 series hunt districts
Antelope
Archery
Sep 5-Oct 9, 2026
Antelope
General
Oct 10-Nov 8, 2026
Bison
Bison
General
Nov 15, 2026-Feb 28, 2027
Season runs into 2027
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Archery (without dogs)
Sep 5-Oct 18, 2026
Mountain Lion
Archery
Sep 5-Oct 18, 2026
Mountain Lion
Fall General
Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026
Mountain Lion
Fall (without dogs)
Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026
Mountain Lion
Winter
Dec 1, 2026-Apr 14, 2027
Season runs into 2027
Mountain Lion
Resident Hound Training
Dec 2, 2026-Apr 14, 2027
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Sep 5-15, 2026
Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
Also applies to Moose and Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep
General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Also applies to Moose and Mountain Goat
Other
Mountain Goat
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
Also applies to Bighorn Sheep and Moose
Mountain Goat
General
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026
Also applies to Bighorn Sheep and Moose
Partridge
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2027
Nonresident season dates differ. See Upland Game Bird Regulations for details.
Partridge
General
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 10, 2027
Zone: Portion of Carbon County
Ptarmigan
General
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Ptarmigan season is closed.
Zone: Statewide
Upland Game Birds / Migratory Game Birds (Falconry)
Falconry
Sep 1, 2022-Mar 31, 2023
Either-sex hunting of that species by falconry. Hunting hours: one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Zone: All areas open to hunting of upland game birds and/or migratory game birds by firearms
Wolf
Trapping
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
See regulations book for trapping dates
Wolf
General
Sep 15, 2025-Mar 26, 2026
2025-2026 season. 2026 season dates TBD.
Wolf
Trapping
Dec 1, 2025-Mar 15, 2026
2025-2026 season. 2026 season dates TBD.
Zone: Outside geographic scope of federal court order (eastern Montana outside FWP regions 1-5, Hill, Blaine, Phillips counties)
Wolf
Trapping
Jan 1-Feb 15, 2026
2025-2026 season. 2026 season dates TBD. Per federal court injunction.
Zone: Inside geographic scope of federal court order (FWP regions 1-5, Hill, Blaine, Phillips counties)
Wolf
Archery
Sep 5-14, 2026
Wolf
General
Sep 15, 2026-Mar 15, 2027
Season runs into 2027
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Montana Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Montana?
August 15, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Montana; it is shoulder season deer Aug 15, 2026-Feb 15, 2027.
When is Montana's firearm deer season?
Sep 15-Nov 29, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Montana. Check zone and permit details with Montana FWP before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Montana?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Montana yet. Check Montana FWP for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Montana?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Montana hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Montana FWP.