Montana 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Montana's 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026.
Archery deer season opens September 5, 2026 in every zone and closes between September 14, 2026 and October 18, 2026 depending on zone.
Duck season opens October 3, 2026 in every zone and runs in split segments through January 19, 2027; the dates for each zone are in the table below.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Montana FWP.
- firearm deer
- Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 5-14, 2026; later in some zones
- duck
- opens Oct 3, 2026; split dates by zone
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Key seasons by species
How to read Montana's seasons
Hunting districts and draws frame deer and elk
Montana organizes deer and elk hunting by hunting district, blending general licenses with limited draws and special permits, so the general dates below only apply once you know your district and license.
Confirm district boundaries, permit types, and Block Management access with the official Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks source.
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.
New 2026-27
federal openings
in Montana
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service opened or expanded hunting and fishing access at 3 stations in Montana. The final rule took effect August 31, 2026.
Deer
Deer
Shoulder Season
Varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons; check individual HDs
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Backcountry General
Zone: HDs 150, 280, 316
Deer
Regular Firearm
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Archery
Zone: Statewide
Deer
Archery
HD 316 does not have an archery only season
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Deer
Youth
Youth, deer only
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Turkey
Fall
Zone: Statewide
Turkey
Spring
Zone: Statewide
Bear
Black Bear
Fall General
Black Bear
Spring
Spring season closes May 31 or June 15 depending on area
Black Bear
Hound Training
Spring Hound Training season
Black Bear
Archery
Elk
Elk
Shoulder Season
Varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons; check individual HDs
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Backcountry General
Zone: HDs 150, 280, 316
Elk
General
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Muzzleloader
Zone: Statewide
Elk
Archery
HD 316 does not have an archery only season
Zone: Backcountry HDs 150, 280, 316
Elk
Archery
Zone: Statewide
Moose
Moose
General
Moose
Archery
Waterfowl
29 listed rowsCoots
General
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Coots
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Coots
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Scaup season closes Dec. 27
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Ducks and Coots (Falconry)
Falconry
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Ducks and Coots (Falconry)
Falconry
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
Ducks, Coots, Geese (Falconry)
Falconry
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 1
Geese
General
Zone: Pacific Flyway
Geese
General
Zone: Central Flyway - Zone 2
| Season | Dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Pacific FlywayOnly lawfully licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| CootsSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| CootsGeneral · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Pacific FlywayOnly lawfully licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)Special Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)General · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Ducks (including Mergansers)General · Pacific FlywayStandard bag limit excluding scaup | Upcoming | |
| Ducks and Coots (Falconry)Falconry · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Closed | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 1Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Central Flyway - Zone 2Only licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| GeeseSpecial Youth Season · Pacific FlywayOnly lawfully licensed youth ages 15 and under | Closed | |
| GeeseGeneral · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Geese (Falconry)Falconry · Central Flyway - Zone 1 | Open | |
| Geese (Falconry)Falconry · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Closed | |
| Geese (Falconry)Falconry · Central Flyway - Zone 2 | Open |
Dove
Mourning Dove
General
It is unlawful to shoot mourning doves resting on utility lines or fixtures adjacent to those lines.
Zone: Statewide
Pheasant
Ring-necked Pheasant
General
Nonresidents hunting on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program begin hunting 10 days later than residents
Zone: Statewide
Ring-necked Pheasant
Youth Hunt
Zone: Statewide
Grouse
Mountain Grouse
General
Zone: Statewide
Sharp-tailed Grouse
General
Nonresidents hunting on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program begin hunting 10 days later than residents
Zone: Statewide
Sage Grouse
General
Nonresidents hunting on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program begin hunting 10 days later than residents
Zone: Statewide
Furbearer
Beaver
Trapping
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7
Beaver
Trapping
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2, & 3
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Trapping
May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Zone: Statewide
Swift Fox
Trapping
May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Zone: Portion of Trapping District 6
Bobcat
Trapping
May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Zone: Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7
Bobcat
Trapping
May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Zone: Trapping Districts 1, 2, & 3
Fisher, Marten
Trapping
May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Zone: Where open
Small Game
Upland Game Birds
Falconry
Migratory Birds
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
General
Zone: Statewide
Sandhill Crane
Over-the-Counter Permit
Free permit required from FWP offices or license ambassadors. Exception 1: Area south and west of I-90 is closed except Carbon County with 599-00 license. Exception 2: Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher, and portions of Stillwater and Sweetgrass north of I-90 require 586-01 license.
Zone: Central Flyway (outside special license drawing areas)
Swan
Special Drawing License (684-20) - Central Flyway
Quota: 499. Hunting by special license only. Application deadline June 1. Surplus licenses issued first-come first-served beginning June 15. 72-hour reporting requirement. Must apply in only one flyway.
Zone: Central Flyway
Swan
Special Drawing License (481-20) - Pacific Flyway
Quota: 499. Hunting by drawing only. Application deadline June 1. 72-hour reporting requirement. Must have watercraft, retrieving dog, or chest-high waders at Freezout. Portions of Teton and Pondera west of US Hwy 287/89 closed. Remainder of Pacific Flyway closed to swan hunting.
Zone: Pacific Flyway - Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole, and portions of Teton and Pondera counties
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (280-01)
Quota: 5. Successful applicants receive two 280-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1. Pacific Flyway special license area.
Zone: Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (599-00)
Quota: 30. Successful applicants receive two 599-00 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Carbon County
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (586-01)
Quota: 70. Successful applicants receive two 586-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Meagher counties and portions of Sweetgrass and Stillwater counties north of I-90
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (380-01)
Quota: 150. Successful applicants receive two 380-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (390-01)
Quota: 35. Successful applicants receive two 390-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (480-01)
Quota: 30. Successful applicants receive two 480-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Cascade and Teton counties
Sandhill Crane
Special Drawing License (284-01)
Quota: 40. Successful applicants receive two 284-01 licenses. Application deadline June 1.
Zone: Ovando-Helmville area (Powell County, Pacific Flyway)
Pronghorn
Antelope
900/399 Series
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
General
Zone: Statewide
Antelope
Archery
Zone: Statewide
Bison
Bison
General
Mountain Lion
Mountain Lion
Fall (without dogs)
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
Winter
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
Resident Hound Training
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Lion
Archery (without dogs)
Zone: Statewide
Bighorn Sheep
Bighorn Sheep
General
Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Also applies to Moose and Mountain Goat
Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Other
Mountain Goat
General
Zone: Statewide
Partridge
General
Nonresidents hunting on public lands and privately owned lands that are a part of a hunting access program begin hunting 10 days later than residents
Zone: Statewide
Partridge
General
Zone: Portion of Carbon County
Wolf
General
Zone: Statewide
Mountain Goat
Archery
Zone: Statewide
Wolf
Trapping
dates not listed
Exact dates not listed in the current data.
Zone: Statewide
Wolf
Archery
Zone: Statewide
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Montana Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Montana?
Archery deer season opens September 5, 2026 in every zone and closes between September 14, 2026 and October 18, 2026 depending on zone. Firearm deer season runs Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026. Dates can differ by zone and permit; confirm with Montana FWP.
When is Montana's firearm deer season?
Firearm deer season runs Oct 24-Nov 29, 2026. Check zone and permit details with Montana FWP before hunting.
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.
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