Season Date Setting Process

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