If you are passionate about big game hunting, such as deer hunting, Montana is one of the best states for you. Make sure to note the dates and prepare for the upcoming Montana hunting seasons.
This guide will provide the necessary information for the dates and permit information for hunting seasons in Montana. Prepare yourself, improve your abilities, and get ready to experience the thrilling hunting seasons now!
Montana DEER & ELK Seasons
| Season | Dates |
| Archery | Sept. 7 – Oct. 20, 2024 |
| Youth, deer only | Oct. 17 – Oct. 18, 2024 |
| General | Oct. 26 – Dec. 1, 2024 |
| Shoulder seasons | Aug. 15 – Feb. 15, 2024 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 14 – 22, 2024 |
| Backcountry – HD’s 150, 280, 316 | Sept. 15 – Dec. 1, 2024 |
Antelope Seasons
900 series: Aug. 15 – Nov. 10
Archery: Sept. 7 – Oct. 11
General: Oct. 12 – Nov. 10
Bighorn Sheep Seasons
Archery: Sept. 7 – Sept. 14
General: Sept. 15 – Dec. 1
Bison Seasons
Nov. 15 – Feb. 15, 2024
Black Bear Seasons
Spring: Apr. 15 – May 31 or June 15
Spring Hound Training: May 26 – June 15
Archery: Sept. 7 – Sept. 14
Fall: Sept. 15 – Dec. 1
Furbearer (Trapping) Seasons
| Zones | Seasons Dates |
| Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3 | Beaver: Nov. 1 – Apr. 15, 2024 |
| Bobcat: Dec. 1 – Feb. 15, 2024 | |
| Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7 | Beaver: Sept. 1 – May 31, 2024 |
| Bobcat: Dec. 1 – Mar. 1, 2024 | |
| Portion of Trapping District 6 | Swift Fox: Nov. 1 – Jan. 15, 2024 |
| Fisher, Marten | Dec. 1 – Feb. 15, 2024 |
| Mink, Muskrat, Otter | Nov. 1 – Apr. 15, 2024 |
Upland Bird Seasons
| Seasons | Dates |
| Mountain Grouse | Sept. 1 – Jan. 1, 2024 |
| Partridge | Sept. 1 – Jan. 1, 2024 |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | Oct. 12 – Jan. 1 |
| Youth Hunt | Sept. 21 – Sept. 22 |
| Sage Grouse | Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | Sept. 1 – Jan. 1, 2024 |
| Falconry | Sept. 1 – March 31 |
Other Hunting Seasons
- Archery (without dogs): Sept. 3 – Oct. 16
- Fall (without dogs): Oct. 26 – Dec. 1
- Winter: Dec. 1 – April 14
- Resident Hound Training Season: Dec. 2 – April 14
- Spring: April 15- May 31
- Fall: Sept. 1 – Jan. 1
- General: Sept. 15 – March 15, 2024
- Trapping: Nov. 27*-March 15, 2024
Montana Hunting License And Permits
The new hunting license year starts on March 1 and the deadline is April 1. Hunters can start to buy hunting licenses and apply for the special permits right now.
In order to apply a hunting license in Montana, along with a valid license, there are prerequisites that hunters need to purchase first.
Hunters can purchase the licenses and permits on the official website: Montana Online License Service.
Note: Resident hunters can purchase the licenses over the counter. While, nonresident hunters need to go through a random lottery drawing to be qualified for some specific licenses, such as Big Game Combination License, Deer Combination License or Landowner Sponsored License.
| Hunter Prerequisites | Resident Cost | Resident Youth and Senior | Resident Disabled | Nonresident Cost | |
| Base Hunting License | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $15.00 | |
| Conservation License | $8.00 | $4.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 | |
| Bow and Arrow License | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Resident License And Permit
| License/Permit | Resident 18-61 years |
Resident Youth (12-17) or Senior (62+) |
Resident Disabled |
| Deer | |||
| General License | $16.00 | $8.00 | $8.00 |
| Deer Permit – Drawing only | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Deer B License – Drawing only | $15.00 | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Deer B License – OTC | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Elk | |||
| General License | $20.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Elk Permit – Drawing only | $9.00 | $9.00 | $9.00 |
| Elk B License – Drawing only | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| EIk B License – OTC | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
| Antelope | |||
| 900 Archery Antelope – Drawing only |
$19.00 | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Antelope or Antelope B License – Drawing only |
$19.00 | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Disabled – Drawing only | $19.00 | $19.00 | $19.00 |
| Sportsman’s Combination | |||
| Military Recognition | Free | / | / |
| Sportsman’s with bear | $77.00 | $77.00 | $77.00 |
| Sportsman’s without bear | $62.00 | $31.00 | $62.00 |
Nonresident License And Permit
| License / Permits | Cost |
| Nonresident Native | |
| NR Big Game Combination License | $621.00 |
| NR Elk Combination License | $524.00 |
| NR Deer Combination License | $362. .00 |
| Season Fishing License | $50.00 |
| Bird License | $55.00 |
| Deer B (OTC) | $37.50 |
| Elk B (OTC) | $135.00 |
| Big Game Combination | |
| Big Game Combination- Drawing | $1,242.00 |
| Big Game Combination- Youth (12-17) – Sponsored | $621.00 |
| Big Game Combination- College Student | $621.00 |
| Deer Combination: General Deer, Upland Bird (excluding turkey), and Season Fishing licenses | |
| Deer Combination- Drawing | $724.00 |
| Deer Combination- Youth (12-17)- Sponsored | $362.00 |
| Deer Combination- College Student | $362.00 |
| Deer Permit- Drawing | $5.00 |
| Deer B- Drawing | $80.00 |
| Deer B- OTC | $75.00 |
| Elk Combination: General Elk, Upland Bird (excluding turkey), and Season Fishing licenses | |
| Elk Combination- Drawing | $1,048.00 |
| Elk Combination- Youth (12-17) – Sponsored | $524.00 |
| Elk Combination- College Student | $524.00 |
| Elk Permit ~ Drawing | $9.00 |
| Elk B – Drawing | $275.00 |
| Elk B-OTC | $270.00 |
| Antelope | |
| Archery 900 Drawing | $205.00 |
| Antelope-Drawing | $205.00 |
| Antelope Disabled-Drawing | $205.00 |
Wish you are lucky enough to get special licenses to hunt any games in Montana.
We hope this guide has equipped you for a successful season. Stay updated with the latest information on the season dates and regulations. Don’t just focus on the hunt – immerse yourself in Montana’s wild beauty.
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