Montana Hunting Seasons Information and Regulations

*All information listed below is disclosed based on research we have conducted. We do our best to ensure that all information is up to date and accurate. However, rules and regulations are changing every day. Please make sure to verify your state-specific regulations prior to your hunt.

Montana is a great place to do some amazing hunting. With a wide selection of game, and some of the most beautiful landscapes, it’s no wonder that Montana is a great destination for hunters. Montana has several hunting seasons throughout the year, such as deer season, elk season, and upland bird season. Each of these seasons offers different opportunities for hunters to get out in nature and experience all Montana has to offer. Depending on the game you want to hunt, Montana has different regulations and requirements that must be followed in order to be legal. It is important for hunters to research the regulations and prepare accordingly before heading out into the field. With its vast landscapes, Montana offers some of the best hunting experiences found anywhere in the world. There are a variety of great hunting seasons, including a 6 week archery season.

Montana Antelope Seasons

900 series	Aug 15 – Nov 12, 2023
Archery	Sep 2 – Oct 6, 2023
General	Oct 7 – Nov 12, 2023

*Montana has a wide range of different animals, as well as time-specific hunting regulations. Make sure to check the official Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website for up-to-date season information.

Pronghorn are a beautiful animal and are treated as a game species in Montana. This hunting license is available via a special drawing.

Montana Bighorn Sheep Seasons

Archery	Sep 2 – Sep 14, 2023
General	Sep 15 – Nov 26, 2023

*Montana has a wide range of different animals, as well as time specific hunting regulations. Make sure to check the official Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website for up to date season information.

A hunter who has acquired a bighorn ram must personally deliver the whole head and cape in their original state to any Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks office, game warden, or designated staff member within a 48-hour period.

Montana Bison Seasons

Bison General Season

Nov. 15 – Feb. 15

*Montana has a wide range of different animals, as well as time-specific hunting regulations. Make sure to check the official Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website for up-to-date season information.

If hunting Bison, make sure to report within the 48 hour deadline!

Montana Elk Seasons

*Like most states, Montana has a variety of specific regulations that change by species. Make sure to check the official site for the updated information surrounding elk.

Montana Black Bear Seasons

Black Bear Fall General Season	Sept. 15 – Nov. 27
Black Bear Fall Archery Season	Sept. 3 – 14
Black Bear Spring General Season	Apr. 15 – May 31 or June 15

*Like most states, Montana has a variety of specific regulations that change by species. Make sure to check the official site for the updated information surrounding bear.

There is a season harvest limit of 40 bear and tags will be selected through a random drawing.

Montana Migratory Bird Seasons

Common (Wilson’s) Snipe	Sep. 1 – Dec. 16
Mourning Dove	Sep. 1 – Oct. 30
Youth Waterfowl	Sep. 24 – 25
Ducks (including Mergansers)	Oct. 1 – Jan. 13
Ducks (including Mergansers) Zone 1	Oct. 1 – Jan. 5
Ducks (including Mergansers) Zone 2	Oct. 1 – Oct. 9, Oct. 22 – Jan. 17
Rabbit	Oct. 1 – Feb. 15
Opossum	Nov. 15 – Feb. 28, Aug. 1 – Oct. 15
Quail	Nov. 10 – Jan. 15
Woodcock	Oct. 15 – Nov. 28
Sora and Virginia Rail	Sep. 1 – Nov. 9
Waterfowl	Sep. 10 – Sep. 25
Wilson’s Snipe	Sep. 1 – Dec. 16
Pheasant	Oct. 29 – Oct. 30

Montana Crossbow Regulations

Crossbow Specific Regulations: A crossbow is not considered an archery weapon in Montana. Therefore, the crossbow is only legal during firearm seasons. Montana does not currently offer a disability permit that would allow a disabled individual to use a crossbow during the archery season as is sometimes the case in other states.

• The arrow should be a minimum of 20”.
• Expandable broadheads must be a minimum of 7/8”.
• There is not a minimum requirement regarding draw weight.

Montana Hunting License

It is required in Montana to have a conservation license for all hunting that will take place. There are a variety of other specific licenses for both different types of game as well as weapons used. Make sure to check out all of the details on the official web page of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks license page.

If you want to check out the next state on our list, click here to see Nebraska.

Or, you can check out the last state on our list, Missouri.