Things to remember while hunting in Montana

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Hunters must expect to see bears

Grizzly bears have the potential to be found anywhere in the western two-thirds of Montana — west of Billings — and their distribution is denser and more widespread than in previous years. Some areas with dense concentrations of grizzly bears are very accessible to hunters, especially during the archery season. Keep these precautions in mind when hunting in grizzly country:

• Carry and know how to use bear spray. Keep it within easy reach and be prepared to use it immediately.

• Stay alert, especially when hearing or visibility is limited. Watch for environmental indicators of recent bear activity. If there is abundant fresh sign of grizzly bears in the area, consider hunting elsewhere. Let other hunters know when bears and/or fresh sign are observed.

• Travel and hunt in groups whenever possible. This can help you make casual noise to alert bears to your presence, and it may also increase your chances survival in the event of a bear attack.

• Follow all food storage regulations. Contact the applicable land management agency (i.e. U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, etc.) to learn what food storage rules apply where you’re hunting.

• Avoid carcass sites and concentrations of ravens and other scavengers.

• Carry the equipment you need to process a carcass and get it out of the field as quickly as possible.

• If you harvest an animal, remove it from the field as quickly as possible.

For more tips on staying safe in bear country, visit FWP’s Bear Aware web page.

What’s new for chronic wasting disease management for 2022

This year FWP will continue chronic wasting disease surveillance in specific areas known as Priority Surveillance Areas in north-central, central, southwestern and south-central Montana.

• Carcass disposal requirements: Carcass parts, such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a Class II landfill.

A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts are disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing. Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. This requirement applies to all deer, elk and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage. Protect our herds: properly dispose of carcasses.

• If you intend to use scents to either mask human odor or as an attractant for deer and elk, you should be aware there are regulations on which ones you can use. You are safest if you use artificial scents, but you can also use scents certified by the Responsible Hunting Scent Association. You can identify these with the DPP or RtQUIC labels on them.

• Sample submission is voluntary throughout Montana. If hunters want their harvested animal sampled, they can submit samples themselves by following steps on the Montana CWD Submission Guide or by visiting a CWD Sampling Station.

• Certain areas of the state are designated as Priority Surveillance Areas where FWP is making a concerted effort to gather more samples. In those specific areas, hunters are asked to voluntarily submit a sample from their animal. For instructions on how or where to submit a sample, visit mt.gov/cwd.

• Report sick-looking deer, elk or moose. If you shoot an animal that looks diseased or sick, report it immediately to your local FWP office for further instructions and limit handling it. FWP staff will need to diagnosis and verify diseased or sick harvested animals to determine if an animal is fit for consumption or eligible for a replacement tag.

For more information on CWD, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/cwd .

Be sure before you shoot: 5 tips for archery hunting success

Montana’s archery hunting season for deer and elk began Sept. 3, and just like in every other form of hunting, being successful while hunting with a bow requires careful planning and preparation.

If you plan to hunt during the archery season, here are five tips for being safe, responsible and successful:

• Practice, practice, practice. Being proficient in archery takes patience and repetition. Practice shooting your bow in the same manner in which you’ll be hunting. Begin practicing well before the hunting season. Know and respect your personal limitations and effective range while hunting.

• Know the rules. Purchase a bow and arrow license, and know what, where and when your license allows you to hunt. Be sure your archery equipment meets state requirements for hunting. Questions? Check the current hunting regulations or contact FWP.

• Plan an efficient harvest. Because archery hunting season occurs earlier in the year, temperatures can still be warm, day and night. Be prepared to remove and process your harvested animal quickly so the meat does not spoil.

• Be sure before you shoot. Only take a shot if it is safe and ethical to do so. Ensure that there are no unsafe shooting conditions, obstructions or significant wind; and that the animal is within your effective range and is in a position for you to make an ethical shot. Be sure that the animal you intend to harvest meets your license’s requirements for species, sex and antler/horn class.

• Be bear aware. Bear attacks are rare. However, occupied grizzly bear habitat is expanding in Montana. So, watch for bear sign. Hunt with a partner and carry bear spray. Pack out your harvested animal as quickly as possible.

To purchase a Montana bow and arrow license, a hunter must provide a certificate of completing the National Bowhunter Education Foundation course, or provide any prior year’s bowhunting/archery stamp, tag, permit, or license from any state or province. To become certified, please visit http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter .

Responsible hunters a critical to the future of hunting

Although most hunters respect the land, property, and wildlife they are hunting, a minority do not. Yet these few bad actors lead to frustration from private landowners and hunters looking to do things right.  

This year remember: It’s up to us. Protect access. Respect the hunt.

Every hunting season, there are reports of vandalizing of Block Management Area boxes, hunters driving off road, illegal trespassing, hunters being shot over, littering, and livestock being shot. Below are just a few of the things that hunters and all outdoor enthusiasts should be aware of when enjoying our resources:

• Standing crop: Avoid hunting, walking or driving in fields that have not been harvested yet.

• Littering: Not only is littering careless and unsightly, it is against the law. This includes toilet paper, and the proper management of human waste.

• Leave gates as you find them: If a gate is closed, close it behind you. If it is obviously open — pulled all the way back to the fence — leave it open. If you are unsure, contact the landowner or public land agency.

• Know your target and beyond: Hunters must be sure of what they are shooting at — species, sex, etc. — and know what lies beyond their target — houses, outbuildings, livestock, vehicles, other hunters.

• Prevent fires: Be aware of fire danger at all times and use precautions.

• Be weed free: Check clothes, dogs, ATVs, and vehicles for weeds and weed seeds to help prevent the spread to other private and public lands.

• Avoid driving on muddy roads: Unless it is a well-graveled road, walk.

• Avoid ridge driving and driving to overlooks: Not only is this a poor strategy while hunting, it is considered as driving off road if it is not already an established trail.

• Do not park on roads or gateways: Move well off of roads to avoid folks moving farm equipment. Find a designated parking area or an approach that is clearly not being used for equipment.

• Driving off-road: While hunting on private property, a person may not drive off established roads or trails without landowner permission. Off-road travel on public land, including game retrieval, is prohibited unless designated as open. Consult appropriate land agency or land maps for specifics.

• Ask for permission to hunt: Montana law requires permission for all hunting on private land. Even if the land is not posted, hunters must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their agent before hunting on private property.

• Completely fill out BMA slips: If a hunter doesn’t correctly fill out a block management slip, they are hunting without permission.

• Know where you are located: Whether you are hunting public land, private land, or land enrolled in an access program such as block management, it is every hunter’s responsibility to know where they are to avoid trespassing. Maps are always available, as are GPS chips and cell phone apps to aid in orientation.

• Accessing public lands: Access to public lands on a private road through private land requires permission of the private landowner, lessee or their agent.

• Camping: Camping is allowed on most public lands — see agency regulations — but permission is needed to camp on private property and BMAs.

• Know the rules: Consult BMA maps for specific rules on block management property, including driving on roads, parking areas, no shooting zones, walk-in only areas, camping, number of hunters allowed, game retrieval, etc. Rules for most land agencies can be found on maps and/or on brochures. Go to the appropriate agency website or local office for information.

• Report violations: Report any hunting and fishing, trespassing, vandalism or other criminal activity you see to 1-800-TIP-MONT, 1-800-847-6668.

The 1-800-TIP-MONT program is a toll-free number where one can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction.

Also remember the fall is a very busy time for landowners. Along with late harvest, cattle and other livestock are being moved from their summer and/or fall pastures and are often brought near the home site for winter feeding and care. Please use common sense and respect when around these activities.

FWP also offers a free online program called The Montana Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project. This project is an information program for anyone interested in promoting responsible hunter behavior and good hunter-landowner relations in Montana. The program is delivered through an interactive website utilizing questions, videos, and feedback as well as opportunities for you to test your knowledge on a variety of practical topics related to hunter-landowner relations and responsible hunter behavior.

Please go to http://fwp.mt.gov/education/hunter/hunterLandowner to learn more and complete the program.

Ask first to hunt on private land

Don’t wait until it is too late. Hunters who haven’t already asked permission from private landowners to hunt need to do so as soon as possible.

Montana law requires hunters to obtain permission for all hunting on private land. Whether pursuing upland game birds, coyotes, gophers or any other wildlife, hunters must have permission from the landowner before hunting on private property. This also includes entering private land to retrieve wildlife or to access public land to hunt.

Landowners may grant permission in person, over the phone, in writing or by posting signs that explain what type of hunting is allowed and under what conditions hunting may occur on land owned or controlled by the landowner.

Access: Ask early, don’t wait

Montana’s millions of acres of private land offer some excellent hunting opportunities—the only catch is gaining the landowner’s permission to hunt.

It is Montana law that hunters obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that will greatly improve results when attempting to secure hunting access to private land.

• Show courtesy to the landowner and make hunting arrangements by calling or visiting at times convenient to the landowner.

• Plan ahead and secure permission well in advance of the actual hunting date.

• Provide complete information about yourself and your hunting companions, including vehicle descriptions and license plate numbers.

• Explain what type of hunting you wish to do and be sure to ask any questions which can help clarify the conditions of access.

• Follow the landowner’s instructions and bring with you only the companions for whom you obtained landowner permission.

• Be sure to thank the landowner after your hunt.

Hunters and landowners can learn more by investing some time on Montana’s Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Project, an information program for anyone interested in promoting responsible hunter behavior and good hunter and landowner relationships in Montana. Visit FWP’s website at http://fwp.mt.gov, then click “Hunting” under Quick Links.

For more information on hunting access in Montana, check out the “Hunter Access” pages on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov.

Turn in poachers — call 1-800-TIP-MONT

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks toll-free hotline for reporting wildlife poaching, property damage, and violations of fish and game laws is in operation 24 hours a day.

TIP-MONT is the acronym for Turn in Poachers — Montana. Poaching includes:

• hunting out of season or at night using spotlights

• taking more than one’s legal limit

• nonresidents who purchase resident licenses

• professional and commercial poachers who illegally offer outfitter and guide services.

When it comes to poaching, Montanans are saying, “Enough is enough!”

If you witnesses a fish and game violation, or property vandalism, you can report the crime by calling 1-800-TIP-MONT, 1-800-847-6668; or Report a Violation online at http://fwp.mt.gov, then click Enforcement.

Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

2022 Big game hunting seasons

Pronghorn

• 900 15–Nov. 13

• Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 7

• General Oct. 8–Nov. 13

Bighorn Sheep

• Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14

• General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Bison

• General Nov. 15–Feb. 15, 2023

Black Bear

• Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14

• Fall Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Deer & Elk

• Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 16

• Youth-Deer Only Oct. 20–21

• General Oct. 22-Nov. 27

• Backcountry - HDs 150, 280, 316* (*no archery-only season in 316)

- Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14

- General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Moose

• General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Mountain goat

• General Sept. 15–Nov. 27

Mountain Lion

• Archery Sept. 3–Oct. 16

• Fall Oct. 22–Nov. 27

• Winter Dec. 1–April 14, 2023

Wolf

• Archery Sept. 3–Sept. 14

• General Sept. 15–March 15, 2023

• Trapping Nov. 30–March 15, 2023*

* For those districts in and near occupied grizzly bear habitat as depicted on the map in the regulations, the department will apply a floating open season date that could start the Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24, 2022), or any day thereafter as determined by the department based upon a real time reading of conditions. If the department does not select a date prior to Dec. 31, then the season will open on Dec. 31 and close on March 15.

2022 Upland game bird seasons

• Mountain grouse Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023

• Partridge Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023

• Pheasant Oct. 8–Jan. 1, 2023

• Youth pheasant Sept. 24–Sept. 25

• Sage-grouse Sept. 1–Sept. 30

• Sharp-tailed grouse Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023

• Fall turkey Sept. 1–Jan. 1, 2023