Montana Bird Hunting

Seasons Span September 1 – January 1, 2026

State Drought Monitor – Upland hunting conditions are often highly dependent upon moisture for both habitat production and bird survival.

Season Dates

  • Mountain Grouse (Ruffed, Dusky/Blue, Spruce/Franklin): September 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
  • Partridge (Hungarian/Gray and Chukar): September 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 (except in a portion of Carbon County, where it extends to January 10, 2026)
  • Ring-necked Pheasant: October 11, 2025 – January 1, 2026
    • Youth Hunt: September 27–28, 2025
  • Sage Grouse: September 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse: September 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026
  • Falconry: September 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 (for applicable upland game birds)

Note: Senate Bill 514 provides Montana residents a 10-day head start on upland game bird hunting (except for mountain grouse) on public lands, starting in 2026. Nonresidents may begin hunting on September 11, 2025, for applicable species on public lands, except privately owned lands not part of a state hunting access program.

Required Licenses and Costs

To hunt upland game birds in Montana, hunters need the following licenses, available over-the-counter through FWP:

  • Conservation License: A prerequisite for all hunting licenses.
    • Resident: $8
    • Nonresident: $10
  • Base Hunting License (required annually):
    • Resident: $10
    • Nonresident: $15
  • Upland Game Bird License:
    • Resident: $4.50 (increased from $2 under HB 372)
    • Nonresident: $67 (increased by $17 under HB 372)
    • Discounts: Residents aged 12–17, 62 or older, or disabled pay half cost ($3.75). Nonresidents aged 12–17 pay half cost ($55).
  • Sage Grouse Supplemental Permit: Free, but required for sage grouse hunting.
  • Hunter Education Requirement: Hunters born on or after January 1, 1985, must complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

Note: License costs and requirements vary based on residency status. Always check FWP’s website or MyFWP app for the most current pricing and application details.

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

  • Mountain Grouse (Ruffed, Dusky/Blue, Spruce/Franklin):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 per species
    • Possession Limit: 9 per species
  • Partridge (Hungarian/Gray and Chukar):
    • Daily Bag Limit: 8 (combined, any combination of Hungarian partridge and chukar)
    • Possession Limit: 24 (combined)
  • Ring-necked Pheasant:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 3 roosters
    • Possession Limit: 9 roosters (after the third day of the season)
  • Sage Grouse:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 2
    • Possession Limit: 4
  • Sharp-tailed Grouse:
    • Daily Bag Limit: 4
    • Possession Limit: 12

Additional Notes

  • Habitat and Access: Montana offers over 30 million acres of public land for hunting, with programs like the Block Management Program providing access to private lands. Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private property.
  • Ethical Hunting Practices: Hunters are encouraged to adhere to bag limits, take ethical shots, respect private property, and leave no trace to support conservation efforts.
  • Verification: Confirm all season dates, bag limits, and regulations with FWP’s official resources, as changes may occur before the season starts.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Montana FWP website (fwp.mt.gov) or use the MyFWP mobile app for digital licenses, maps, and regulations.