Montana Hunting Guide
Big Sky Country offers world-class elk, deer, and bear hunting on public lands.
Hunting Highlights
Montana Hunting Seasons 2025
| Species | Archery | Firearm |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | Sep 7 - Oct 20 | Oct 26 - Dec 1 |
| Mule Deer | Sep 7 - Oct 20 | Oct 26 - Dec 1 |
* Season dates are approximate and may vary by zone or unit. Always verify with Montana Game & Fish for current regulations before hunting.
Key Species in Montana
Public Land Access
Montana has approximately 30 million acres of public land available for hunting, including national forests, BLM land, and state wildlife management areas.
Hunting Near Major Cities
Montana Hunting Articles
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Montana Brown Trout Fishing 2026: Bighorn, Big Water, and Night Mice
Montana brown trout in 2026—FWP special regulations on famous tailwaters, big fish ethics, and streamer, nymph, and large-fly tactics.
Montana Kokanee Fishing 2026: Flathead, Placid Trolling, Dodgers
Montana kokanee in 2026—FWP rules for landlocked sockeye, reservoir trolling with small spoons and hoochies, and downrigger and lead-core programs.
Montana Largemouth Bass Fishing 2026: Eastern Prairies, Fort Peck, Docks
Montana largemouth bass in 2026—FWP warm-water and black bass rules, Fort Peck and other prairie impoundments, and shallow flip and deep jig tactics.
Montana Rainbow Trout Fishing 2026: Madison, Missouri, Wild vs Stocked Rules
Montana rainbow trout in 2026—FWP stream regulations, blue-ribbon waters, and nymph, streamer, and dry-fly tactics with gear and season checks.
Montana Walleye Fishing 2026: Fort Peck, Canyon Ferry, Trolling and Jig
Montana walleye in 2026—FWP and shared-border rules, reservoir trolling with crankbaits and live bait where lawful, and spring river spawning runs.
Montana Fishing 2026: Licenses, Blue-Ribbon Trout, and Prairie Reservoirs
Montana fishing 2026—license details, official FWP regulations, blue-ribbon trout rules, river closures, AIS checks, and reservoir planning.
Montana Spring Turkey Hunting 2026: Regions, Tags & Public Land
Montana spring turkey 2026—general and special spring seasons by region, Merriam’s tags, FWP regulations, and mountain scouting.
Montana Spring Black Bear Hunting 2026: Early Season, Safety & Where to Hunt
Montana spring bear 2026—bears emerging early due to mild winter. Season dates, license requirements, grizzly country safety, and best hunting districts.