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 maps, obtain legal descriptions, regulations, and statistics all in one place.
These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.
2021 Common Snipe Season Dates
Central Flyway
September 1 – December 16
Pacific Flyway
September 1 – December 16
2021 Duck & Coot Season Dates
Central Flyway
Duck & Coot - Zone 1
October 2 – January 6
Duck & Coot - Zone 2
October 2 – October 10 and October 23 – January 18
Falconry - Zone 1
September 22 – January 6
Falconry - Zone 2
September 22 – October 10 and October 23 – January 18
Youth Weekend
September 25 – September 26
Pacific Flyway
Ducks
October 2 – December 26
December 27 – January 14
Falconry, Ducks, Coots & Geese
October 2 – January 14
Scaup
October 2 – December 26
Youth Weekend
September 25 – September 26
2021 Goose Season Dates
Central Flyway*
*Central Flyway is divided into 2 zones. See the regulations for details on the zones and the specific dates.
Geese & Falconry - Zone 1
October 2 – January 14
Geese & Falconry - Zone 2
October 2 – October 12 and October 23 – January 26
Youth Weekend
September 25 – September 26
Pacific Flyway
Geese & Falconry
October 2 – January 14
Youth Weekend
September 25 – September 26
2021 Mourning Dove Season Dates
Central Flyway
September 1 – October 30
Pacific Flyway
September 1 – October 30
Licenses & Fees
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.
