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Is deer season open in Montana?
Every Montana deer season we have read for 2026 from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, open or closed on the day you pick, and when the next one opens.
Montana deer seasons 2026
Montana's General season runs Oct 24 to Nov 29, 2026.
These are Montana's general dates, but your hunting district sets which deer you can take and when (some close sooner for buck mule deer), and permit, B license, shoulder and late antlerless hunts between Aug. 15 and Feb. 15 are not included here.
- ArcherySep 5 to Oct 18
- Backcountry general season · Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316 onlySep 15 to Nov 29
- Youth two-day deer hunt · youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 15 onlyOct 15 to Oct 16
- General seasonOct 24 to Nov 29
- Heritage muzzleloader · Most hunting districts; check your district's table in the regulations onlyDec 12 to Dec 20
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Hunt By Species: Deer (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks), checked November 2026.
Deer season · Montana · Today. Yes. Montana's General season is open today, Oct 24 to Nov 29.
Deer season · Montana · Today
Season openYes. Montana's General season is open today, Oct 24 to Nov 29.
Also open today in some areas:
- Backcountry general season, Sep 15 to Nov 29: Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316
These are Montana's general dates, but your hunting district sets which deer you can take and when (some close sooner for buck mule deer), and permit, B license, shoulder and late antlerless hunts between Aug. 15 and Feb. 15 are not included here.
- Archery
- Backcountry general season · Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316
- Youth two-day deer hunt
- General season
- Heritage muzzleloader · Most hunting districts; check your district's table in the regulations
ArcheryArchery
Sep 5 to Oct 18
Montana's wording
"2026 SEASON | Archery: Sept. 5 - Oct. 18"
Backcountry general seasonFirearmOpen
Sep 15 to Nov 29
Backcountry hunting districts 150, 280 and 316 only
Montana's wording
"Backcountry - HD's 150, 280, 316 | General: Sept. 15 - Nov. 29"
Youth two-day deer huntYouth
Oct 15 to Oct 16
Youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 15 only
Montana's wording
"Special 2-day Youth Deer Hunt: October 15 & 16, 2026 | Youth hunters and apprentice hunters 10-15 may hunt during the Youth Statewide Two-day Deer Hunt."
SourceGeneral seasonFirearmOpen
Oct 24 to Nov 29
Montana's wording
"2026 SEASON | General: Oct. 24 - Nov. 29"
Heritage muzzleloaderMuzzleloader
Dec 12 to Dec 20
Most hunting districts; check your district's table in the regulations only
Montana's wording
"Muzzleloader : Dec. 12 - 20"
Hunter orange
"must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of hunter orange ... above the waist, visible at all times"
More from Montana's rules
"These dates represent the “general” season dates. Check the individual hunting district regulations for the most accurate season dates and regulations."
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Hunt By Species: Deer (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks), checked November 2026.
A guide to the dates each state printed for the year, not the regulations. Bag limits, permits, weapon rules and unit closures are in the state's own digest, which is the authority.
- Each state's own dates, quoted
- Your zone and your day
- When the next season opens
Hunting in Montana
35 outfitters, guides and lodges listed in Montana. Legal shooting hours in Montana today.
Other states
Deer seasons in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
Common questions
Deer season questions
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