The 2024 pheasant hunting season is upon us in Montana as of Saturday, October 12, and it’s going until January 1! Get ready to bag up to three roosters of those fabulous ring-necked pheasants daily.

Here’s some information for a successful hunt in the Big Sky State:

• Hunting Licenses
  Before hitting the fields, ensure you’ve snagged a valid Montana hunting license and an Upland Game Bird license from our pals at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). No license? No hunt!
• Hunting Areas
  Pheasants are waiting for you on public lands, Upland Game Bird Enhancement sites, Block Management areas, and even private lands—just remember to charm the landowner for permission before you hunt!
• Hunting Regulations
  Rules such as the weather can change, so check those current guidelines for your hunting spot. You don’t want to end up in a pickle!
• Youth Hunt

Calling all young hunters! On September 21 and 22, 2024, licensed hunters aged 15 and under can unleash their hunting skills on pheasants, ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots across the state. It’s a great chance to get started.

• Hunt Planner
  Use FWP’s nifty interactive Hunt Planner—your trusty map that spills the beans on hunting districts, species, and the latest regulations.
• Safety First

Always prioritize safety by wearing appropriate blaze-orange clothing to ensure visibility. Familiarize yourself with firearm safety rules and always be aware of your surroundings and fellow hunters.

• Gear and Equipment

Ensure you have the right gear, including a reliable shotgun, appropriate ammunition, and comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. A good pair of waterproof boots can make a big difference, especially when traversing wet or muddy terrain.

• Scouting

Before the season begins, spend some time scouting potential hunting areas. Look for signs of pheasant activity, such as tracks and droppings, and note their preferred habitats for feeding and roosting.

• Weather Conditions

Monitor the weather forecast before your hunt. Pheasants tend to be more active during cooler, overcast days, which could increase your chances of success.

• Respect the Environment

Leave no trace by picking up all shells and trash and respect the land and wildlife. This ensures the preservation of hunting areas for future generations.

• Mentorship

Consider bringing along a young hunter or someone new to the sport. Sharing your knowledge and passion for hunting helps cultivate a respectful and safe hunting community.

Planning ahead and respecting both the land and the regulations will enhance your hunting experience and contribute positively to Montana’s conservation efforts. Here’s a rundown of some of the fascinating bird species we have in the state!

Ring-necked pheasant

Though they are not native to North America, ring-necked pheasant has been a national favorite of upland hunters for a long time.

The season for ring-necked pheasants in Montana begins October 8th and ends January 1st. The daily bag limit is 3 roosters.

Mountain Grouse (Forest Grouse)

Montana is home to three species of forest grouse: ruffed, dusky (blue), and spruce (known as Franklin’s grouse in Montana). While most states refer to these as forest grouses, Montana provides a helpful clue on where to find them by calling them “Mountain Grouses” in their digest. While dusky grouse hunting is among the more popular pursuits in this category, Montana is one of the few states in the lower 48 where you can still hunt spruce grouse.

The season for mountain grouse begins September 1st and ends January 1st. Regardless of species, there is a daily bag limit of 3 mountain grouses.

Sharp-tailed Grouse 

The sharp-tailed grouse is likely the most popular native species to hunt in Montana. With populations often overlapping in areas where sage grouse and Hungarian partridge are found, the early September 1 opener attracts many hunters from the East, where bird hunting seasons start much later. Montana’s sharp-tailed grouse hunting opportunities are perhaps only rivaled by those in North Dakota.

The sharp-tailed grouse is considered a species of concern in Montana due to its declining population. Nevertheless, its range covers most of the state, except for the counties along the Montana-Idaho border. It is important to note that hunting for sharp-tailed grouses is not permitted west of the Continental Divide.

The season for sharp-tailed grouse begins September 1st and ends January 1st with a daily bag limit of 4 birds.

Hungarian Partridge 

You don’t know what you’re missing if you have never experienced a covey of Hungarian partridge rising before a pointing dog in open country. These non-native game birds were first introduced in the early 1900s and now occur in the wild. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, “Prime habitat in Montana is from the Rockies east and from Montana Highway 200 north, as well as in many mountain valleys in the western third of the state.”

In Montana, the daily bag limit for Hungarian partridge is 8 birds. However, hunters should be ethically conscious of how taking 8 birds from a single covey can impact the population in an area before filling their game bag. The season opens on September 1st and ends on January 1st.

Greater sage grouse 

Sage grouse are North America’s largest upland game bird (if you do not consider the wild turkey as an upland game), and Montana is one of the few states with stable sage grouse hunting opportunities. As their name implies, greater sage grouse typically inhabit landscapes dominated by sagebrush. The Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program aims to preserve these natural habitats for this upland species. Central Montana and the counties east of the Continental Divide account for much of their range.

The season begins on September 1st and ends on September 30th. The daily bag limit is 2 birds, and the maximum possession limit is 4 birds.

Chukar 

Chukar hunting opportunities exist in Montana and are worth the chase for those who love the challenge of these “devil birds,” including in parts of the iconic Hell’s Canyon. Also a non-native species, chukars were first introduced in 1933 and are originally native to Pakistan.

The season opens on September 1 and ends on January 1, with a daily bag limit of 8.

Other species for bird hunting in Montana

Montana offers dove hunting opportunities for mourning doves and Eurasian collared doves. Mourning dove season opens on September 1 and ends on October 30, with a daily bag limit of 15. Eurasian collared doves, which are invasive in Montana, have no closed season and do not require a license.

You can hunt snipe in Montana for other migratory birds that are not waterfowl. Both mourning doves and snipes require a HIP permit but do not require the use of a non-toxic shot.

Montana’s most unusual upland game bird hunting seasons are related to quail. California quail is considered a non-game species and can be hunted year-round. They are a delightful bird to hunt, offering one of the most unusual year-round seasons in the country for a North American quail. These quail can be found in abundance in some parts of the state, providing an exciting opportunity for both hunters and dogs.

Upland bird licensing fees for Montana