The following dates are provided as a general reference. Please see current regulations for more information.
A new special muzzleloader season will run from December 11-19.
900 series: Aug. 15 - Nov. 14
Archery: Sept. 4 - Oct. 8
General: Oct. 9 - Nov. 14
See more information on the Antelope Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 4 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 28
See more information on the Bighorn Sheep Species Guide.
Spring: Apr. 15 - end dates vary
Archery: Sept. 4 - Sept. 14
Fall: Sept. 15 - Nov. 28
See more information on the Black Bear Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 4 - Oct. 17
Youth, deer only: Oct. 21 - Oct. 22
General: Oct. 23 - Nov. 28
Muzzleloader: Dec. 11 - 19
Backcountry - HD's 150, 280, 316*
Archery: Sept. 4 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 28
*HD 316 does not have an Archery-only Season
See more information on the Deer Species Guide and Elk Species Guide.
The primary purpose of elk shoulder seasons is to reduce elk populations in areas that are over population objective as outlined in the Montana Elk Management Plan. Learn more
Check individual HD's in the 2021 Regulations (PDF) for specific hunting district details.
Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Beaver: Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2022
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2022*
Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Beaver: Sept. 1 - May 31, 2022
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Mar. 1, 2022*
Portion of Trapping District 6
Swift Fox: Nov. 1 - Jan. 15, 2022*
Fisher, Marten
Where open: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2022*
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2022*
* May close earlier when the quota is reached.
See more information on the Furbearer Species Guide.
Common (Wilson's) Snipe
Sept. 1 - Dec. 16
Mourning Dove
Sept. 1 - Oct. 30
Youth Waterfowl
Sept. 25 - 26
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Coots
Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Geese
Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers), Coots and Geese
Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Ducks (including Mergansers)
Zone 1: Oct. 2 - Jan. 6
Zone 2: Oct. 2 - Oct. 10 & Oct. 23 - Jan. 18
Coots
Zone 1: Oct. 2 - Jan. 6
Zone 2: Oct. 2 - Oct. 10 & Oct. 23 - Jan. 18
Geese
Zone 1: Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Zone 2: Oct. 2 - Oct. 10 & Oct. 23 - Jan. 26
Falconry: Ducks (including Mergansers) and Coots
Zone 1: Sept. 22 - Jan. 6
Zone 2: Sept. 22 - Oct. 10 & Oct. 23 - Jan. 18
Falconry: Geese
Zone 1: Oct. 2 - Jan. 14
Zone 2: Oct. 2 - Oct. 10 & Oct 23. - Jan. 26
See more information on the Migratory Bird Species Guide.
Archery (without dogs): Sept. 4 - Oct. 17
Fall (without dogs): Oct. 23 - Dec. 1
Winter: Dec. 1 - April 14
Late Winter: Feb. 1 - April 14
Resident Hound Training Season: Dec. 2 - April 14
See more information on the Mountain Lion Species Guide.
Sandhill Cranes
Special Drawing License: Sept. 1 - Oct. 30
OTC License: Oct. 2 - Nov. 28
See more information on the Sandhill Crane Species Guide.
Swan
Pacific Flyway: Oct. 9 - Dec. 1
Central Flyway: Oct. 2 - Jan. 6
See more information on the Swan Species Guide.
Spring: April 10 - May 16
Fall: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
See more information on the Turkey Species Guide.
Mountain Grouse: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
Partridge: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
Ring-necked Pheasant: Oct. 9 - Jan. 1
Youth Hunt: Sept. 25 - Sept. 26
Sage Grouse: Sept. 1 - Sept. 30
Sharp-tailed Grouse: Sept. 1 - Jan. 1
Falconry: Sept. 1 - March 31
See more information on the Upland Game Bird Species Guide.
Archery: Sept. 4 - Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 - March 15, 2022
Trapping: Nov. 29*-March 15, 2022
For those districts in and near occupied grizzly bear habitat as depicted on the map on page 14 of the regulations, the department will apply a floating open season date that could start the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 29, 2021), or any day thereafter as determined by the department based upon a real time reading of conditions. If the department does not select a date prior to December 31, then the season will open on December 31 and close on March 15.
In and near occupied grizzly bear habitat is defined as the following (map on page 14 of the regulations):
Wolf Management Units 100, 101, 110, 121, 130, 150
That portion of WMU 200 that includes the Ninemile watershed north of I-90.
WMUs 210, 280, 290, 310, 313, 316, 320.
The western portion of WMU 390 (west of Hwy 310, South of I-90, and west of I-15/Hwy 69).
The western portion of WMU 400 (north and west of I-15/ Hwy 87, west of Hwy 223 between Fort Benton and Hwy 2 at Chester, south of Hwy 2 between Chester and I-15 at Shelby, and west of I-15 between Shelby and the Canadian border).
See more information on the Wolf Species Guide.