The following dates are provided as a general reference. Please see current regulations for more information.
900 series: Aug. 15 - Nov. 9
Archery: Sept. 6 - Oct. 10
General: Oct. 11 - Nov. 9
See more information on the Antelope Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 6 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30
See more information on the Bighorn Sheep Species Guide.
Spring: Apr. 15 - May 31 or June 15
Spring Hound Training: May 26 - June 15
Archery: Sept. 6 - Sept. 14
Fall: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30
See more information on the Black Bear Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 6 - Oct. 19
Youth, deer only: Oct. 16 - Oct. 17
General: Oct. 25 - Nov. 30
Shoulder seasons: Aug. 15 - Feb. 15, varying dates before and/or after the archery and general seasons
Muzzleloader: Dec. 13 - 21
Backcountry - HD's 150, 280, 316
General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30
See more information on the Deer Species Guide and Elk Species Guide
The primary purpose of elk shoulder seasons is to reduce elk populations in areas that are over population objective as outlined in the Montana Elk Management Plan. Learn more
Check individual HD's in the 2024 Regulations (PDF) for specific hunting district details.
Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Beaver: Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2024
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2024*
Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Beaver: Sept. 1 - May 31, 2024
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Mar. 1, 2024*
Portion of Trapping District 6
Swift Fox: Nov. 1 - Jan. 15, 2024*
Fisher, Marten
Where open: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2024*
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2024*
* May close earlier when the quota is reached.
2024 SEASON
Statewide
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
Mourning Dove
Youth Waterfowl
Pacific Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Coots
Geese
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers), Coots and Geese
Central Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Coots
Geese
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots
Falconry: Geese
Archery: Sept. 6 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30
See more information on the Moose Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 6 - Sept. 14
Genreal: Sept. 15 - Nov. 30
See more information on the Mountain Goat Species Guide.
Archery (without dogs): Sept. 3 - Oct. 16
Fall (without dogs): Oct. 25 - Nov. 30
Winter: Dec. 1 - April 14
Resident Hound Training Season: Dec. 2 - April 14
See more information on the Mountain Lion Species Guide.
Sandhill Cranes
Special Drawing License: Sept. 1 - To be adopted April 2025 per federal frameworks
OTC License: Oct. 4 - To be adopted April 2025 per federal frameworks
See more information on the Sandhill Crane Species Guide.
Central Flyway
Swan (special license only)
September 28 – January 2
Pacific Flyway
Swan (special license only)
October 5 – November 29
See more information on the Swan Species Guide.
Spring: April 15- May 31
Fall: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
See more information on the Turkey Species Guide.
Mountain Grouse: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
Partridge: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1 (except for portion of Carbon County, where it is Sept. 1 - Jan. 10)
Ring-necked Pheasant: Oct. 11 - Jan. 1
Youth Hunt: Sept. 27 - Sept. 28
Sage Grouse: Sept. 1 - Sept. 30
Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
Falconry: Sept. 1 - March 31
See more information on the Upland Game Bird Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 2 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - March 15, 2024
Trapping: Nov. 27*-March 15, 2024
* Wolf trapping and snaring in FWP administrative regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and in Hill, Blaine, and Phillips counties won’t start until Jan. 1 and will run through Feb. 15, according to a federal court injunction. In areas in eastern Montana outside FWP administrative regions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and Hill, Blaine, and Phillips counties the order does not apply, and the wolf trapping and snaring season will start November 27 and run through March 15 as described in the 2023 wolf regulations.