How to Hunt Montana: Mule Deer, Whitetail, Antelope, Elk & Black Bear Guide
Hit the Bull’s-Eye: Licensing & Draw Deadlines
Montana FWP runs a point-and-draw system for most big game tags. Here’s the breakdown:
Base Hunting License: $15 non-resident; includes conservation stamp. FWP now allows OTC Deer B, Elk B, and Antelope B tags starting June 15, 2025
Limited Draw Tags (Deer, Elk, Antelope): Apply by April 1, 2025
Antelope Draw: Apply by June 1, 2025
Black Bear: Spring + Fall seasons; mandatory bear ID & 48‑hour reporting
Cost Snapshot (2025)
Deer Combination (Deer + Elk): ~$1,242 non-resident
Antelope: ~$205
Black Bear: ~$350
📅 When to Hunt: 2025 Season Dates
All seasons and dates are set by FWP for 2025—here’s what’s locked in:
Mule & Whitetail Deer + Elk
Archery: Sept 6 – Oct 19
General Rifle: Oct 25 – Nov 30
Muzzleloader Tiers: Dec 13 – 21
Shoulder Seasons: Aug 15 – Feb 15 (varies by district)
Pronghorn (Antelope)
Archery: Sept 6 – Oct 10
General: Oct 11 – Nov 9
Extended 900 Series: Aug 15 – Nov 9
Black Bear
Spring: Apr 15 – May 31 (or June 15)
Archery: Sept 6 – Sept 14
Fall: Sept 15 – Nov 30
🎯 Species-Specific Breakdown
Mule Deer
Iconic Montana bucks can be found on the eastern plains and Missouri River Breaks. Montana offers gnarly areas for deer hunting including steep canyons and high country terrain, though most of the big mountain hunting is inaccessible by the time rifle hunting season starts. Draw odds are tough in some premium districts. Bring your glass and endurance.
Whitetail Deer
Riverside and ag-country hunters—especially on eastern plains. Look for OTC options in select units, but private land needed for full access.
Pronghorn (Antelope)
Fast and visible on open landscape. Draw-only; general tags accessible. Prepare for long shots in unpredictable winds.
Elk
Archery and rifle seasons line-up with deer. Rocky Mountains, timbered zones, high altitudes. Brace for elevation, glassing, and the rut.
Black Bear
Add-on or standalone hunt. Spring or fall options. Complete the bear ID course, know your BMU, and report harvests within 48 hours.
📌 Where to Hunt: Land & Access
Public Land: 30 million+ acres including National Forests, BLM, and Block Management Areas (BMAs) The Montana Hunt Planner map is essential for GMU boundaries, land ownership, and access.
Private Land Access: Mostly east of the Rockies. BMAs offer structured public-private access.
National Forests & Wildernesses: Huntable in places like Bitterroot, Helena & Scapegoat—expect no roads, rugged terrain, and solitude
🎒 Gear Checklist & Field Tips
Optics: Quality glass—Vortex, Maven, even Steiner. A tripod helps.
Clothing: Layered for alpine temps. Merino base-wear, waterproof outer shell.
Footwear: Waterproof and broken-in before arrival.
Navigation: OnX or Ready-to-Hunt offline maps. GPS backup recommended.
Bear Safety: Carry spray in grizzly zones. Mandatory!
Bear ID Course: Required before hunting black bears
✅ Safety & Ethics
Hunter Orange: Minimum 400 sq in visible above the waist in rifle season (usually vest and hat)
Report Harvests: Especially bear—within 48 hours or face penalties
No Shooting from Roads: Stay 30 feet off public road centerlines.
Respect Private Lands: Trespass is felony-level bad. Block Management = gold.
Use All Game: Montana doesn’t mess around on wasteful takes.
🔗 Montana FWP & Handy Tools
🔚 Final Take
Montana is the place for serious Western hunts. But “winging it” won’t cut it. You’ve got draw windows, layered seasons, and big terrain to prep for. Starting early with tags, maps, and gear is the only way to go.
Need help navigating draws, mapping units, figuring odds, or planning food/security for camp? I got you. Drop me a line anytime—let’s blueprint your Big Sky scouting and hammer your hunt plan.
Let’s do this right—Montana’s waiting.
COMMENTARY ON MONTANA
Montana offers possibly the MOST complicated draw system for getting a license across the West. Between bonus points, preference points, 900-series tags, and changes each year, it can be tough to know when and where you are going to hunt in Big Sky country.
That said, the hunting opportunities offer a relatively consistent chance to have quality low-point hunts each year. For rifle hunters, generous season dates allow you to craft a hunt that fits your style, whether scouting and getting one on opening day is your favorite method, or waiting until the snow flies and animals are on their feet. Archery hunters also are offered one of the longest seasons across the west, which allows folks to make return trips in the same season if your schedule allows.
Granted mule deer quality is not comparable to more conservatively-managed states, it is a good chance to hunt rutting bucks each year and likely see good numbers of animals on the landscape. Plus, the increasing opportunities to chase mountain whitetails in Western Montana give people options to have a fun public land hunt.
Elk are difficult to get into consistently in Montana thanks to lower densities, private-land issues in places, and high hunter pressure. However, the mountains are so vast and escapement is good and a real special bull can come from nearly anywhere in Montana.
Pronghorn hunts are easy to obtain if you are willing to hunt with a bow, and/or have private land access. Rifle hunters have to wait a few years before getting the chance to chase speedgoats, and while the hunt may not rival that of Wyoming or other quality pronghorn states, the opportunity to get out and get one is always there.
Western Montana (seen here) is characterized by big burns, timbered mountains, and logging roads, while eastern Montana is more open and mixed between agriculture, sage brush, cedar hills, and sparse pines.