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Planning Updated Jan 29, 2026

Montana Hunting Season Dates

Complete hunting calendar for Montana including deer, elk, turkey, and more.

Montana Hunting Season Calendar

Find all hunting season dates for Montana including deer, elk, turkey, and waterfowl. Filter by species and hunting method.

MT regulations 6 species Split seasons shown Zone info included
MT

Coming Up in Montana

Seasons opening in the next 60 days

Turkey Any Legal Method

Apr 11 - May 17, 2026

Opens in 39 days

Complete Season Calendar

All Montana hunting seasons organized by species

Deer 2 seasons

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Archery Sep 6 - Oct 19, 2025 Statewide Closed General archery
Rifle/Firearm Oct 25 - Nov 30, 2025 Statewide Closed General rifle season

Elk 2 seasons

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Archery Sep 6 - Oct 19, 2025 Statewide Closed General archery
Rifle/Firearm Oct 25 - Nov 30, 2025 Statewide Closed General rifle

Turkey 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Apr 11 - May 17, 2026 Statewide Upcoming Spring season

Pronghorn 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Oct 4 - Nov 9, 2025 Statewide Closed General season

Moose 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Sep 15 - Nov 30, 2025 Statewide Closed Special draw

Bear 1 season

Method Dates Zone Status Notes Add to Calendar
Any Legal Method Apr 15 - May 31, 2025 Statewide Closed Spring bear season

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MT

Montana Hunting Regulations

License year, species, and agency information

License Year
Mar 1, 2025 - Feb 28, 2026
Available Species
  • Bear
  • Deer
  • Elk
  • Moose
  • Pronghorn
  • Turkey
Hunting Methods
  • Archery
  • Rifle/Firearm
  • Any Legal Method
Official Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Visit Website

This information is for reference only. Always verify regulations with your state wildlife agency before hunting or fishing.

Last verified: January 2026

Important Note for Montana

Montana offers OTC licenses for deer and elk in some districts.

Hunting Method Legend

Archery Bow & Crossbow
Rifle/Firearm Modern rifles
Muzzleloader Black powder
Shotgun Shotguns only
Any Legal All methods

Montana Hunting FAQ

Common questions about hunting seasons in Montana

What are the hunting season dates for Montana?

Montana offers hunting seasons for Bear, Deer, Elk, Moose, Pronghorn, Turkey. The license year runs from Mar 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026. Check our complete calendar above for specific dates by species and method.

When does deer season start in Montana?

Deer season in Montana typically begins with archery season starting Sep 6, 2025, followed by firearms/rifle season starting Oct 25, 2025.

Does Montana require a draw for hunting?

Montana offers general season licenses for some species and may require draws for others like elk, moose, or pronghorn. Check specific requirements for your target species.

What hunting seasons are open now in Montana?

The next season to open is Turkey starting Apr 11, 2026.

What should I know about hunting in Montana?

Montana offers OTC licenses for deer and elk in some districts.

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Montana License Info

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