Upland Game Bird And Pheasant Season Details

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In Montana, upland game birds consist of sage and sharp-tailed grouse, blue, ruffed and Franklin’s grouse, pheasants, wild turkeys, and Hungarian (grey) and chukar partridge.

Most upland game bird seasons begin Sept. 1 with the exception of ring-necked pheasants.   Pheasant hunting for Montana residents and for nonresidents is Oct. 11-Dec. 15.

The sage grouse season will close Nov. 1, while the mountain grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and partridge hunting seasons will close Dec. 15.

Daily limits are three sage grouse, four sharp-tailed grouse, and three mountain grouse (blue, ruffed, Franklin) and eight partridge (Hungarian and chukar). The possession limit is two times the daily bag limit for sage grouse and four times the daily bag limit for sharp-tailed and mountain grouse and partridge. For pheasants the bag limit is three cock pheasants daily and legal possession is three times the daily bag limit.

Fall turkey season, Sept. 1 to Dec. 15, is open to all hunters with a valid Fall Turkey License in Hill, Chouteau, Fergus, Wheatland, Sweet Grass, Stillwater and Carbon counties and all counties east of these.

  The fall turkey special permit hunting areas include the Flathead Valley, Lincoln County, the West Clark Fork, and FWP Region 3. The fall bag limit for turkey is one wild turkey, either sex.

  Upland game bird hunters from 15 to 61 years old need a conservation license and an upland bird license. Residents 12 to 14, 62 and older, and holders of a Resident with a Disability conservation license need only a conservation license. Turkey hunters need a valid turkey license.

Hunters should check the regulations for exceptions and additional seasons. Upland game bird hunting regulations are available on the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us, from most license providers and all FWP region offices.

Hunters hunting upland game birds on Indian Reservations should check Indian Reservation regulations for season dates, bag limits, licensing requirements, shooting hours, legal species and shot shell requirements, which may differ from state regulations.