Regulations for upcoming seasons are posted online throughout the year. Waterfowl, Sandhill Crane, Mourning Dove & Snipe regulations are typically posted mid June.
Please report the band number, location and date shot for any banded migratory game bird that you harvest to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Internet reporting of bird bands may be easily done by going to www.reportband.gov. In most cases, you will quickly receive information on when and where a bird was banded.
Plan Your Hunt Online
Launch FWP's interactive map with hunting districts, harvest opportunities, and more.
These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.
2025 SEASON
Statewide
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
Sept. 1 - Dec. 16
Mourning Dove
Sept. 1 - Oct. 30
Youth Waterfowl
Sept. 27-28
Pacific Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Oct. 4 - Jan. 16
Coots
Oct. 4 - Jan. 16
Geese
Oct. 4 - Jan. 16
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers), Coots and Geese
Oct. 04 - Jan. 16
Central Flyway
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Zone 1: Oct. 4 - Jan. 8
Zone 2: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Coots
Zone 1: Oct. 4 - Jan. 8
Zone 2: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Geese
Zone 1: Oct. 4 - Jan. 16
Zone 2: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 28
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots
Zone 1: Sept. 24 - Jan. 8
Zone 2: Sept. 24 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 20
Falconry: Geese
Zone 1: Oct. 4 - Jan. 16
Zone 2: Oct. 4 - Oct. 12 & Oct. 25 - Jan. 28
Licenses & Fees
2025 Special Light Goose Conservation Order License
Details: Only a free special light goose conservation order license is required. No other license is required. A federal “duck stamp” is not required.
Hunters participating in the Light Goose Conservation Order opportunity are not required to complete a HIP survey.
Fees:
Resident: Free
Nonresident: Free
Migratory Bird License
Details: Residents and nonresidents, 17 and under, need to purchase a Conservation and Base Hunting License and may purchase a Migratory Bird License at half cost (resident - $3.25; nonresident - $25). Federal Migratory Bird Stamp is also required for individuals, both resident and nonresident, 16 and older. The federal stamp is available from the USPS as well as all FWP offices.
All migratory bird hunters in Montana, as well as in al other states, are required to take part in a National Harvest Survey Program. To comply with HIP, you must complete a survey including your name, address and date of birth before you can purchase your Montana Migratory Bird License.
Fees:
Resident: $6.50
Nonresident: $50
Application & Drawing Deadlines
Availability
This license is available Over the Counter.
Duck & Goose Identification
Most FWP regional offices will have free waterfowl identification guides that you may pick up and carry while hunting.
Waterfowl hunters are legally required to identify the species and even gender of the birds they shoot. For everyone else, it’s simply fun to know which duck is which.
