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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