Montana Hunting: Seasons and Species for the Avid Hunter

Calling all hunters to trek across Montana's wooded mountain ranges and rolling hills. The state is said to be home to a diverse range of species with some of the longest hunting seasons in the West. 

Discover how you can receive your Montana hunting license to participate in one of the state’s most popular recreational activities. We’ll enlighten you about hunting seasons, game species, and Montana state parks that we think you’ll enjoy.

Acquiring a Montana Hunting License

For the safety of all hunters, a license is essential to protect the individual both physically and legally. We’ll take you through the course of action and show you specific steps to prepare you to hunt in Montana’s natural setting.

Qualifying For Your License

Depending on your age, an online course may be required prior to purchasing your permit or license. Take the Montana-approved Online Hunter Safety Course to complete the first step in planning your hunting excursion. 

Selecting The License Type

With the age, disability status, and residence of the hunter taken into account, these licenses were created to suit hunters of all walks of life. Take a look at the license options that Montana offers below and choose the type that best applies to you:



• Montana Resident: Those who have resided in Montana for a minimum of 180 days can qualify for this license.
• Non-Resident: To purchase a Non-Resident license, one has to have either lived in Montana in the past–during which they purchased a hunting license–or the person has an immediate family member residing in Montana.
• Youth Hunting License: Those between the ages of 10 and 17 who live within the state may participate in the Apprentice Youth Program.
• Senior Hunting License: Montana residents over the age of 62 may be given a discount for this license.
• Disability License: Disabled residents have the option of receiving a Disability Conservation License with a reduced fee.
• Military and Veteran License: Active-duty members of the military can purchase this license, whether they are stationed within Montana or beyond the state. However, individuals stationed in Montana are required to have been there for at least 30 days to be considered eligible for a Resident License.

Buying The License

After fulfilling the first two steps, it’s time to purchase and print your license. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is an online service that can provide you with it.

Where to Hunt

A number of state parks are spread throughout Montana for hunters to pursue game. Check out our list of parks located just a short drive from the Grand Union Hotel.

Sluice Boxes State Park 

The centerpiece of Sluice Boxes State Park is a canyon that was formed by Belt Creek. This particular area has become a host to a variety of outdoor recreation, including shotgun and bow hunting. For you history enthusiasts, the park is known for its historical connections to the Barker Mines and the Montana Central Railroad.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

Upland bird hunting and bowhunting are available to licensed hunters at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park. Similar to Sluice Boxes State Park, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is known for its unique history. For over a thousand years, this site was used by Native peoples before Lewis and Clark passed through.

Giant Springs State Park

Located just under an hour’s drive from the Grand Union Hotel, hunters can visit Giant Springs State Park to pursue game and fish along the Missouri River. Encompassing nearly 14 miles of Missouri River shoreline, the park offers excellent opportunities for fishing.

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest

Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest caters to hunters with disabilities by providing maps of access routes. The 2.8 million acres that the park spans are characterized by the mountain ranges of central and north-central Montana. Aside from hunting and fishing, an abundance of other outdoor recreational activities are available at the site, namely skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, to name a few.

Montana Game and Fish

Let's dive a little deeper into specific species that can be pursued in the previously listed state parks and national forests in Montana. We’ll give you the general range for the hunting seasons of certain wildlife, but bear in mind that hunting seasons can vary slightly from year to year.



• Deer: Both mule deer and white-tailed deer are common. The archery season typically runs from early September to mid-October, followed by general rifle season from late October to late November.
• Elk: Montana elk hunting is a popular activity, with archery season starting in early September and rifle season beginning in late October.
• Birds: Upland game birds such as pheasants and grouse are abundant. Hunting seasons for these birds typically begin in early September and end in January. For shotgun and archery, you can expect to encounter wild turkey from mid-April to the end of May.
• Bears: Spring bear season usually starts in mid-April and ends in mid-June, while the fall season runs from early September to mid-November. It should be noted that archers can only pursue bears roughly from the beginning of September to the middle of the same month.
• Mountain Lions: The winter hunting season for mountain lions typically starts in early December and runs through April, while the fall season generally lasts from mid-October to mid-November.
• Fur-Bearers: Beavers, bobcats, lynx, wolves, minks, muskrats, otters, foxes, and wolverines are the fur-bearers of Montana state parks. Learn more about the hunting seasons for these animals on the species guide provided by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

You can stay up-to-date on hunting seasons for each species for the current year here. The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks site also provides the latest information about maps, season dates, license fees, application deadlines, and other essential details for your hunting experience.

An Outdoor Adventure in Fort Benton, Montana

We at the Grand Union Hotel are thrilled to be your host during your Montana hunting adventure. Our team is dedicated to providing you with exceptional hospitality and a comfortable stay, ensuring you have the perfect base for exploring the magnificent state parks of Montana.

Explore our Things To Do page for more ideas to maximize your stay in Fort Benton, Montana!