Mountain grouse
GeneralOpen districts; check species restrictions
Check agency bag limits, license requirements and property exceptions before hunting.
THE SEASON ATLAS / MTMontana
Montana
hunting seasons.
Explore 2026 & 2027 season sources, publication status, and game species for your next hunt.
MT / UNITED STATES
PLAN WITH THE SEASONS
Your 2026 field calendar.
2026 · partial coverage
Current agency regulations are available. Selected upland dates are indexed; nonresident public-land opening dates differ.
Official 2026 information ↗3 verified date entries
Selected agency dates are indexed below. This is not a complete legal calendar. Unit rules, tags, sex and age restrictions, closures, and special hunts can change which dates apply. Use the source beside each entry.
Sharp-tailed grouse
GeneralResident season in open districts
Nonresident public-land opening is 10 days later. Confirm open districts.
Ring-necked pheasant
GeneralResident season; public-land nonresident start is 10 days later
Nonresident public-land and access-program openings are delayed 10 days; check license restrictions and current regulations.
Montana game species & hunting information.
These species and groups appear in agency hunting resources. Their presence in the state does not mean every public area offers a hunt. “Native” describes origin, “reintroduced” describes restoration, and “migratory” describes movement; these are not population counts. Origin is left unverified when the reviewed source does not establish it.
Agency-listed species and groups are a planning catalog, not an exhaustive taxonomic inventory. Exact dates cover selected hunts; always confirm the particular property, hunt unit and permit.
Big game
Mule deer
Origin not verifiedWhite-tailed deer
Origin not verifiedElk
Origin not verifiedPronghorn
Origin not verifiedBlack bear
Origin not verifiedMoose
Origin not verifiedBighorn sheep
Origin not verifiedMountain goat
Mixed / variesWestern Montana has native populations; other herds were introduced.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Bison
Origin not verifiedMountain lion
Origin not verifiedGray wolf
Origin not verifiedUpland birds
Dusky grouse
NativeThe Montana Natural Heritage Program field guide identifies this as a native species.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Ruffed grouse
NativeThe Montana Natural Heritage Program field guide identifies this as a native species.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Spruce grouse
NativeThe Montana Natural Heritage Program field guide identifies this as a native species.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Greater sage-grouse
NativeFWP explicitly identifies these Montana grouse populations as native.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Sharp-tailed grouse
NativeFWP explicitly identifies these Montana grouse populations as native.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Chukar
IntroducedThe Montana Natural Heritage Program identifies chukar as nonnative.
Agency species information ↗Population history source ↗Gray partridge
IntroducedFWP identifies this game bird as non-native to Montana.
Agency species information ↗Ring-necked pheasant
IntroducedFWP identifies this game bird as non-native to Montana.
Agency species information ↗Wild turkey
IntroducedFWP identifies this game bird as non-native to Montana.
Agency species information ↗Migratory birds
Ducks
MigratoryGeese
MigratorySwans
MigratorySandhill crane
MigratoryFurbearers
Bobcat
Origin not verifiedLicensed hunting is subject to district seasons and quotas.
Agency species information ↗Coyote
Origin not verifiedMontana predator classification; land access and local shooting restrictions remain applicable.
Agency species information ↗Weasel
Origin not verifiedMontana predator classification; land access and local shooting restrictions remain applicable.
Agency species information ↗Striped skunk
Origin not verifiedMontana predator classification; land access and local shooting restrictions remain applicable.
Agency species information ↗Spotted skunk
Origin not verifiedMontana predator classification; land access and local shooting restrictions remain applicable.
Agency species information ↗Badger
Origin not verifiedMontana nongame classification permits hunting; public-land restrictions require separate review.
Agency species information ↗Raccoon
Origin not verifiedMontana nongame classification permits hunting; public-land restrictions require separate review.
Agency species information ↗Red fox
Origin not verifiedMontana nongame classification permits hunting; public-land restrictions require separate review.
Agency species information ↗Small game
Hares
Origin not verifiedAgency nongame hunting category; individual species and property rules still require review.
Agency species information ↗Rabbits
Origin not verifiedAgency nongame hunting category; individual species and property rules still require review.
Agency species information ↗Other game
Ground squirrels
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed nongame hunting group; protected species and property restrictions are not overridden.
Agency species information ↗Marmots
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed nongame hunting group; protected species and property restrictions are not overridden.
Agency species information ↗Tree squirrels
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed nongame hunting group; protected species and property restrictions are not overridden.
Agency species information ↗Porcupine
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed nongame hunting group; protected species and property restrictions are not overridden.
Agency species information ↗Prairie dogs
Origin not verifiedAgency-listed nongame hunting group; protected species and property restrictions are not overridden.
Agency species information ↗Check the details.
Then head for the horizon.
Confirm the unit, season, license, method, bag limit, and current closures with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Public-land rules may be more restrictive than statewide seasons.