2017 Montana Hunting Seasons
A tradition for many families, hunting is an exciting escape into nature. Your reward of patiently waiting in a tree stand or hunting blind is the satisfaction of taking responsibility for your own food, or finally bagging that trophy buck. Discount Ramps has all the hunting dates for Montana, and the necessary hunting equipment to ensure a successful year.
This is a general guide to season dates. Dates are subject to change. For more information, visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks website.
Antelope
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| 900 Series | Aug. 15 | Nov. 12 |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Oct. 6 |
| General | Oct. 7 | Nov. 12 |
Beaver
| Districts | First Day | Last Day |
| Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3 | Nov. 1 | Apr. 15 |
| Central & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7 | Sep. 1 | May. 31 |
Bighorn Sheep
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Sep. 14 |
| General | Sep. 15 | Nov. 26 |
Bison
| First Day | Last Day |
| Nov. 15 | Feb. 15 |
Black Bear
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Spring | Apr. 15 | Varies: May 31 to June 15 |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Sep. 14 |
| Fall | Sep. 15 | Nov. 26 |
Bobcat
Bobcat seasons my close earlier when the quota is reached
| Districts | First Day | Last Day |
| Western & Southwestern Districts 1, 2, & 3 | Dec. 1 | Feb. 15 |
| Central & Eastern Districts 4, 5, 6, & 7 | Dec. 1 | Mar. 1 |
Common Snipe
Central Flyway
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Dec. 16 |
Pacific Flyway
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Dec. 16 |
Deer & Elk
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Oct. 15 |
| Two-Day Youth Hunt (Deer Only) | Oct. 19 | Oct. 20 |
| General | Oct. 21 | Nov. 26 |
| Backcountry (HD's 150, 151, 280, 316) |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Sep. 14 |
| General | Sep. 15 | Nov. 26 |
| Elk Shoulder Seasons |
| Varying dates before and/or after archery/general season |
Duck & Coot
Central Flyway
| Hunt Type | Zone | First Day | Last Day |
| Duck & Coot | Zone 1 | Sep. 30 | Jan. 5 |
| Duck & Coot | Zone 2 | Sep. 30 | Oct. 9 |
| Duck & Coot | Zone 2 | Oct. 22 | Jan. 17 |
| Falconry | Zone 1 | Sep. 21 | Jan. 5 |
| Falconry | Zone 2 | Sep. 21 | Oct. 9 |
| Falconry | Zone 2 | Oct. 22 | Jan. 17 |
| Youth Weekend | | Sep. 24 | Sep. 25 |
Pacific Flyway
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Duck & Coot & Falconry | Sep. 30 | Jan. 8 |
| Duck & Coot & Falconry | Jan. 14 | Jan. 18 |
| Scaup | Sep. 30 | Dec. 25 |
| Youth Weekend | Sep. 23 | Sep. 24 |
Fisher
Fisher seasons my close earlier when the quota is reached
| Districts | First Day | Last Day |
| Districts 1 & 2 | Dec. 1 | Feb. 15 |
Goose
Central Flyway
| Hunt Type | Zone | First Day | Last Day |
| Geese & Falconry | Zone 1 | Sep. 30 | Jan. 8 |
| Geese & Falconry | Zone 1 | Jan. 14 | Jan. 18 |
| Geese & Falconry | Zone 2 | Sep. 30 | Oct. 9 |
| Geese & Falconry | Zone 2 | Oct. 22 | Jan. 25 |
| Youth Weekend | | Sep. 24 | Sep. 25 |
Pacific Flyway
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Geese & Falconry | Sep. 30 | Jan. 8 |
| Geese & Falconry | Jan. 14 | Jan. 18 |
| Youth Weekend | Sep. 23 | Sep. 24 |
Grouse
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Mountain Grouse | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
| Sage Grouse | Sep. 1 | Sep. 30 |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Marten
| Districts | First Day | Last Day |
| Districts 1-5 | Dec. 1 | Feb. 15 |
Moose
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 15 | Nov. 26 |
Mourning Dove
Central Flyway
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Oct. 30 |
Pacific Flyway
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Oct. 30 |
Mountain Goat
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 15 | Nov. 26 |
Mountain Lion
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Archery (without hounds) | Sep. 2 | Oct. 15 |
| Fall (without hounds) | Oct. 21 | Nov. 26 |
| Winter (with hounds) | Dec. 1, 2017 | Apr. 14, 2018 |
| Late Winter (with hounds) | Feb. 1, 2018 | Apr. 14, 2018 |
| Hound Training Seasons (residents only) | Dec. 2, 2017 | Apr. 14, 2018 |
Otter, Mink & Muskrat
Otter seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.
| First Day | Last Day |
| Nov. 1 | Apr. 15 |
Partridge
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Pheasant
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| General | Oct. 8 | Jan. 1 |
| Youth | Sep. 23 | Sep. 24 |
Sandhill Crane
| Permit Type | Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Over-the-Counter | For mid-continent Sandhill Crane populations | Sep. 30 | Nov. 27 |
| Special Permits | For Rocky Mountain populations | Sep. 10 | Oct. 2 |
Swan
Central Flyway
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Tundra Swan (permits only) | Sep. 30 | Jan. 5 |
Pacific Flyway
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Swan (permits only) | Oct. 8 | Dec. 1 |
Swift Fox
Swift Fox seasons may close earlier when the quota is reached.
| District | First Day | Last Day |
| District 6 | Nov. 1 | Mar. 1 |
Turkey
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Spring | Apr. 8 | May. 21 |
| Fall | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Upland Game Bird
Grouse
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Mountain Grouse | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
| Sage Grouse | Sep. 1 | Sep. 30 |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Partridge
| First Day | Last Day |
| Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Pheasant
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| General | Oct. 8 | Jan. 1 |
| Youth | Sep. 23 | Sep. 24 |
Turkey
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Spring | Apr. 8 | May 21 |
| Fall | Sep. 1 | Jan. 1 |
Wolf
| Hunt Type | First Day | Last Day |
| Archery | Sep. 2 | Sep. 14 |
| General Season Rifle | Sep. 15 | Mar. 15, 2018 |
| Trapping | Dec. 15 | Feb. 28, 2018 |
Wolverine
| Notice |
| The 2017/2018 Wolverine trapping season will remain closed for the foreseeable future. |
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