Montana's hunting season dates are a mix of "fixed" dates and "formulas." Examples of fixed dates include the mountain grouse and black bear seasons, where the start and end dates are the same date every year. Specifically, Montana's mountain grouse season starts every year on September 1st and ends December 15. The end result is a 77-day season starting and ending on the same numerical dates every year.
Examples of formula dates include the general deer and elk archery and rifle seasons. In these cases, the annual dates are intentionally set to start and end on weekend days. Consequently, the day of the week for the first and last day remains constant, while the actual numerical date moves with the progression of the calendar. Specifically, the deer and elk general rifle season ends every year on the Sunday immediately following Thanksgiving Thursday. The start date is determined by "backtracking" five Sundays from this closing date. The end result is a 36-day season starting and ending on a Sunday every year.
There are some "hybrid" dates as well. These seasons combine fixed dates and formulas. An example is Montana's pheasant season. It starts annually on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, while the end date is fixed at January 1. The end result is a constant weekend opener with a fixed date ending and a season length varying slightly from year to year.
For a more complete presentation of Montana's season dates and their justifications, see the table below. Note that these represent most areas and seasons, but that some individual hunting districts may have different dates based upon local circumstances.
| Species | Process |
|---|---|
| Antelope—900 | August 15 to 2nd Sunday in November, 86 days, Fri start/Sun end |
| Antelope—Archery | First Saturday of September to Saturday of Columbus Day weekend, 36 days, Sat start/Sat end |
| Antelope—General | Sunday of Columbus Day weekend to 2nd Sunday in November, 29 days, Sun start/Sun end |
| Bison | November 15–February 15, 93 days, Sat start/Fri end |
| Black Bear—Spring | April 15–May 31, 47 days, Tues start/Thur end |
| Black Bear—Fall | September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving, 77 days, Mon start/Sun end |
| Deer/Elk—Archery | First Saturday in September to Sunday before general deer/elk opener,44 days, Sat start/Sun end |
| Deer/Elk—Backcountry | September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving, 77 days, Mon start/Sun end |
| Deer/Elk—General | 36 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, 36 days, Sun start/Sun end |
| Moose/Sheep/Goat | September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving, 77 days, Mon start/Sun end |
| Mountain Grouse | September 1–December 15, 106 days, Mon start/Mon end |
| Mountain Lion—Fall | 36 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, 36 days, Sun start/Sun end |
| Mountain Lion—Winter | December 1–April 14, 135 days, Mon start/Mon end |
| Partridge | September 1–January 1, 123 days, Mon start/Thurs end |
| Pheasant—General | Saturday of Columbus Day weekend to January 1, 83 days, Sat start/Thurs end |
| Pheasant—Youth | The weekend before the opening day of waterfowl, 2 days |
| Sage Grouse | September 1–November 1, 62 days, Mon start/Sat end |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | September 1–January 1, 123 days, Mon start/Thurs end |
| Turkey—Spring | April 11—May 17 (2nd Saturday in April to 3rd Sunday in May) 37 days, Sat start/Sun end |
| Turkey—Fall | September 1–January 1 |
| Waterfowl—General | Saturday closest to October 1 |
| Waterfowl—Youth | The weekend before the opening day of waterfowl, 2 days |
| Wolf—Backcountry | September 15 to Sunday after Thanksgiving, 77 days, Mon start/Sun end |
| Wolf—General | 36 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, 36 days, Sun start/Sun end |
| Wolf—Winter | Wolf Winter Season is quota dependent |
