Montana Hunting Seasons & Licensing

Montana is one of the premier hunting destinations in North America, with vast tracts of public land and diverse big game populations including elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep. Approximately 30 million acres of public land are open to hunting. The state maintains a general elk and deer season with relatively affordable resident tags, though non-resident licenses are limited by a cap and lottery system.

Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before hunting.

Season Dates by Game Type

Licensing

Tags, Draws & Lotteries

Montana limits non-resident big game licenses through an annual cap — approximately 17,000 deer/elk combination licenses are available. A lottery drawing determines which non-residents receive licenses. Applications open in March. Residents can purchase general deer and elk licenses over the counter. Special permits for moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and antelope require a drawing for both residents and non-residents. Montana does not use a preference or bonus point system — all drawings are purely random.

Harvest Reporting

Montana requires all big game animals to be checked and reported. Elk and deer must be reported through the FWP harvest reporting system within 24 hours. CWD surveillance testing is mandatory in designated areas. Moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep require mandatory check within 24 hours of harvest.

Montana Wildlife Resources

• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks — Hunting Home →
• Current Hunting Regulations →
• Hunter Education →
• Violation Hotline: TIP-MONT: 1-800-847-6668
• USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →