Photo Credit – Nathan Satran Photography

Out here, hunting is more than a sport – it’s an epic story in the making. Our land is legendary, and the tradition of harvesting game runs deep. If tossing a fly is more you style, you’ll love that our water is clear and trout fishing season never closes. When you hunt or fish in Southeast Montana, you are sure to take home more than a trophy.

If you’re planning a hunting and/or fishing trip, be sure to visit the Montana fish, Wildlife & Parks website to get all the ins- and outs- of getting the proper licenses and permits, as well as all of the regulations and seasons. To truly make your trip one to remember, we have some of the best guides in the state. Check out our list of outfitters here.

To get you started, here is a quick calendar of the various hunting and fishing seasons.

MONTANA 2019 HUNTING SEASON DATES

Antelope 900 series (archery)                8/15 – 11/10

Antelope archery                                  9/7 – 10/11

Antelope general                                  10/12 – 11/10

Sheep archery                                       9/7 – 9/14
Moose/sheep/goat                               9/15 – 12/1

Bison                                                    11/15 – 2/15

Black bear spring                                   4/15 – 5/31 (vary by district)
Black bear – archery                              9/7 – 9/14

Black bear – fall                                     9/15 – 12/1

Deer/elk archery                                   9/7 – 10/20

Deer/elk backcountry                            9/15 – 12/1
Deer youth only                                    10/17 – 10/18
Deer/elk general                                   10/26 – 12/1
Elk (antlerless) shoulder seasons            8/15 – 2/15 (dates vary*)

Mountain lion fall & winter                 10/26 –4/14 (2 seasons)

Sage grouse                                       9/1 – 9/30

Sharp-tailed grouse                            9/1 – 1/1

Mountain grouse                               9/1 – 1/1

Partridge                                           9/1 – 1/1 (Carbon County*)

Pheasant                                           10/12 – 1/1

Youth pheasant/waterfowl                 9/21 – 9/22

General waterfowl                             9/28 start date – end date TBD per federal regulation

Sandhill crane (drawing)                     9/7 start date – end date TBD per federal regulation

Sandhill crane over the counter          9/28 start date – end date TBD per federal regulation

Turkey - spring                                   4/13 – 5/19

Turkey - fall                                           9/1 - 1/1

*Plan ahead:  Non-resident Big Game Applications due March 15 annually

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

            Montana Regions 6 and 7

            Regulations, maps, and license information fwp.mt.gov/hunting

Public Land Access Information

            Bureau of Land Management District Office - 406.233.2800

            Bureau of Land Management Field Offices

FISHING

Fishing Season – Year Round

Trout (Brook, Combined, Cutthroat, Bass, Burbot, Catfish, Crappie, Perch, Pike, Sturgeon, Sauger, Tiger Muskie, Walleye, Whitefish)

Fishing Season – Special

            Paddlefish

            SPECIAL TAG REQUIRED

            May 15 – June 30 or until quota is reached