Montana Regulations
Hunting and fishing regulations, seasons, species information, and public access resources for the state of Montana.
Overview
Montana offers legendary big-game hunting, vast wilderness, rugged mountains, and world-class trout fisheries.
Below are quick links to seasons, species, licensing, and access information.
Season Information
- Elk (archery & rifle — general & limited entry)
- Mule Deer & Whitetail Deer (general & limited entry)
- Pronghorn (limited entry)
- Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat (lottery)
- Black Bear & Mountain Lion
- Turkey seasons (spring & fall)
- Upland birds (pheasant, grouse, partridge)
- Waterfowl (Pacific Flyway)
- Fishing seasons (trout, pike, walleye, salmon)
Licensing
Montana requires appropriate licenses for hunting and fishing activities.
- Hunting license (resident & non-resident)
- Big-game combo licenses (non-resident)
- Limited entry permits (elk, deer, pronghorn)
- Moose, sheep, goat, bison (lottery)
- Fishing license (annual, 2-day, 10-day)
- Conservation license (mandatory)
- Harvest reporting (required for select species)
Key Species
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Whitetail Deer
- Pronghorn
- Moose, Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat
- Black Bear & Mountain Lion
- Trout (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, brook)
- Walleye, Pike, Salmon
Public Land & Access
Montana offers enormous public access through national forests, BLM lands, state lands, and Block Management Areas.
- National Forests (Gallatin, Custer, Lolo, Flathead, etc.)
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands
- State Trust Lands
- Block Management Areas (BMAs)
- Major rivers (Madison, Yellowstone, Missouri, Clark Fork)
- High-mountain lakes & wilderness areas