Read from Fish, Wildlife and Parks on August 13, 2026.
Seasons and limits change, and corrections are issued mid-season. Confirm with Fish, Wildlife and Parks before you hunt.
Open the official Montana regulationsHunting Montana this season? Keep these dates and bag limits in your pocket — free in the BlindBook app.
Montana is part of the Central Flyway, one of four major migratory bird corridors in North America. The 2026–2027 waterfowl season runs from September 1 through January 27, 2027, with 46 distinct season segments covering ducks, geese, coots, and other migratory game birds. Season dates and bag limits are set annually by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks within frameworks established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Season dates, bag limits, shooting hours, and other regulatory information are provided for convenience only, may be inaccurate or out of date, and do not constitute legal advice. You are solely responsible for verifying current regulations with your state or provincial wildlife agency before every hunt.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Oct 3 – Jan 7 Regular Season | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed. | 18 |
| Central Flyway Zone 21,3,4Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed. | 18 |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Second Split | 6 No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal. | 18 | |
| Pacific Flyway5,6,7,8,9,10Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 7 Youth ages 15 and under only. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 21 |
| Oct 3 – Dec 27 Regular Season (with scaup) | 7 No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 21 | |
| Dec 28 – Jan 15 Late Season (Scaup Closed) | 7 Standard bag limit excluding scaup. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag). | 21 |
| Species | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|
| Pintail (Northern) | 3 | 9 |
| Redhead | 2 | 6 |
| Canvasback | 2 | 6 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Dec 28–Jan 15 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Sep 26–Sep 27 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Pacific Flyway · Oct 3–Dec 27 · No more than 2 hens | 7 | 21 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 1 · Oct 3–Jan 7 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Mallard Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 24–Jan 19 · No more than 2 hens | 5 | 15 |
| Greater Scaup Pacific Flyway · Scaup season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Greater Scaup Pacific Flyway · Season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway · Scaup season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 1 · Oct 3–Jan 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 24–Jan 19 | 1 | 3 |
| Lesser Scaup Pacific Flyway · Season closes Dec. 27 | 2 | 6 |
| Wood Duck | 3 | 9 |
| Hooded Merganser | 2 | 6 |
| Blue-winged Teal Central Flyway Zone 1, Central Flyway Zone 2 · Oct 3–Oct 11 · Bonus, in addition to the 6-duck daily limit | 2 | 6 |
| Blue-winged Teal Central Flyway Zone 2 · Additional 2 during first 9 days (Oct. 3-11) only | 2 | 6 |
1No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal allowed.
2Includes mergansers.
3No more than 5 mallards (2 hens max), 3 wood ducks, 2 redheads, 2 hooded mergansers, 3 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 1 scaup. First 9 days (Oct. 3-11): 2 additional blue-winged teal.
4Includes mergansers in aggregate.
5Youth ages 15 and under only. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag).
6Includes mergansers in the 7-duck aggregate.
7Standard bag limit excluding scaup. No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag).
8Scaup season closed after Dec. 27.
9No more than 2 hen mallards, 3 pintail, 2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 2 scaup. Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed. Mergansers count toward the duck bag (no separate merganser bag).
10Includes mergansers. Scaup season closes Dec. 27.
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| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Second Split | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 | |
| Pacific Flyway1,3,4,5Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 5 Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese). | 15 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 5 5 dark geese (all other geese). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply. | 15 |
1Youth ages 15 and under only. 5 dark geese (all other geese).
25 dark geese (all other geese).
3Part of Pacific Flyway geese daily limit: 20 white geese and 5 dark geese.
45 dark geese (all other geese). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply.
5Part of Pacific Flyway geese regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 21,3Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily. | 60 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Second Split | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily. | 60 | |
| Pacific Flyway1,4,5,6Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 20 Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). | 60 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 20 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply. | 60 |
1Youth ages 15 and under only. 20 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's).
220 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's).
320 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's) daily.
4Part of Pacific Flyway geese daily limit: 20 white geese and 5 dark geese.
520 white geese (Snow, Blue, Ross's). Canyon Ferry and reservoir exceptions apply.
6Part of Pacific Flyway geese regulations.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 21Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 15 Youth ages 15 and under only. | 45 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 First Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Second Split | 15 | 45 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 11Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 15 Youth ages 15 and under only. | 45 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 7 Regular season | 15 | 45 | |
| Pacific Flyway2,3,4,5Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Youth Only | 25 Youth ages 15 and under only. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | 25 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Regular Season | 25 Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed. | 25 |
1Youth ages 15 and under only.
2Youth ages 15 and under only. Canyon Ferry: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon.
3Bag limit 25 daily and in possession per Pacific Flyway coots section.
4Canyon Ferry: Oct. 3–Oct. 9 shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. Cochrane, Morony, and Ryan Reservoirs closed.
5Bag limit 25 daily and in possession.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane General Area (Central Flyway OTC)1,2Central Flyway outside the special drawing areas; free over-the-counter permit | Oct 3 – Nov 29 Over-the-Counter Permit | 3 Free OTC permit required. Area south and west of I-90 closed except Carbon County (599-00). Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties and Stillwater/Sweetgrass north of I-90 require 586-01 license. | 9 |
| Crane Draw Area 380-01 (Southwest)3,4Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, Madison counties; 150 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 380-01. Quota: 150. Valid only in Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 280-01 (Warm Springs)5,6Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County; 5 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 280-01. Quota: 5. Valid only in Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County. Successful applicants receive two 280-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 480-01 (Cascade-Teton)7,8Cascade and Teton counties; 30 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 480-01. Quota: 30. Valid only in Cascade and Teton counties. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 284-01 (Ovando-Helmville)9,10Powell County; 40 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 284-01. Quota: 40. Valid only in Ovando-Helmville area. Successful applicants receive two 284-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 390-01 (Broadwater)11,12Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15; 35 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 390-01. Quota: 35. Valid only in Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 586-01 (Golden Valley)13,14Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties; Sweetgrass and Stillwater north of I-90; 70 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 586-01. Quota: 70. Valid only in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Meagher counties and those portions of Sweetgrass and Stillwater counties north of I-90. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
| Crane Draw Area 599-00 (Carbon County)15,16Carbon County; 30 licenses | Sep 1 – Oct 30 | – Special drawing license 599-00. Quota: 30. Valid only in Carbon County. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses). | – |
1Free OTC permit required. Area south and west of I-90 closed except Carbon County (599-00). Golden Valley, Wheatland, Meagher counties and Stillwater/Sweetgrass north of I-90 require 586-01 license.
2Central Flyway outside special drawing areas.
3Special drawing license 380-01. Quota: 150. Valid only in Beaverhead, Gallatin, Jefferson, and Madison counties. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
4Successful applicants receive two 380-01 licenses.
5Special drawing license 280-01. Quota: 5. Valid only in Warm Springs portion of Deer Lodge County. Successful applicants receive two 280-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
6Possession limit not explicitly stated for cranes; 2-bird daily bag.
7Special drawing license 480-01. Quota: 30. Valid only in Cascade and Teton counties. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
8Successful applicants receive two 480-01 licenses.
9Special drawing license 284-01. Quota: 40. Valid only in Ovando-Helmville area. Successful applicants receive two 284-01 Sandhill Crane licenses. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
10Successful applicants receive two 284-01 licenses.
11Special drawing license 390-01. Quota: 35. Valid only in Broadwater County and Lewis and Clark County east of I-15. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
12Successful applicants receive two 390-01 licenses.
13Special drawing license 586-01. Quota: 70. Valid only in Golden Valley, Wheatland, and Meagher counties and those portions of Sweetgrass and Stillwater counties north of I-90. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
14Successful applicants receive two 586-01 licenses.
15Special drawing license 599-00. Quota: 30. Valid only in Carbon County. 2 sandhill cranes per season (each draw winner receives two licenses).
16Successful applicants receive two 599-00 licenses.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Swan Area (License 684-20)1,2Central Flyway portion of Montana (Blaine, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon and all counties east) | Oct 3 – Jan 7 | 1 Special license only. License 684-20, quota 499. Application deadline June 1. 1 swan per license. | – |
| Pacific Flyway Swan Area (License 481-20)3,4Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole counties and portions of Teton/Pondera | Oct 10 – Dec 1 | 1 Drawing only. License 481-20, quota 499. Hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole, and portions of Teton and Pondera counties only. Must have watercraft, dog, or chest-high waders. 1 swan per license. | – |
1Special license only. License 684-20, quota 499. Application deadline June 1. 1 swan per license.
272-hour bill measurement card reporting required. Surplus licenses first-come first-served beginning June 15.
3Drawing only. License 481-20, quota 499. Hunting in Cascade, Chouteau, Liberty, Hill, Toole, and portions of Teton and Pondera counties only. Must have watercraft, dog, or chest-high waders. 1 swan per license.
472-hour bill measurement card reporting required. Portions of Teton and Pondera counties west of US Hwy 287/89 closed.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1,2 | Sep 26 – Sep 27 Special Two-Day Youth Waterfowl Season | – Youth ages 15 and under only. Bag limits same as regular season. Canyon Ferry exception: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon. | – |
1Youth ages 15 and under only. Bag limits same as regular season. Canyon Ferry exception: shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to noon.
2Statewide. Ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots. Canyon Ferry: noon close Sept. 26-27.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Flyway Zone 11,2,3,4Montana Central Flyway Zone 1 | Sep 23 – Jan 7 Falconry - Ducks/Coots | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Oct 3 – Jan 15 Falconry Season - Geese | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Central Flyway Zone 21,2,3,5,6Montana Central Flyway Zone 2 | Sep 23 – Oct 11 Falconry - Ducks/Coots First Split | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 |
| Oct 3 – Oct 11 Falconry Season - Geese First Split | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 27 Falconry Season - Geese Second Split | 2 Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate. | 6 | |
| Oct 24 – Jan 19 Falconry - Ducks/Coots Second Split | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate. | 6 | |
| Pacific Flyway7,8Montana Pacific Flyway zone | Oct 3 – Jan 15 Falconry - Ducks, Coots, Geese | 2 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate for all permitted migratory birds. | 6 |
12 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate.
2Ducks (including mergansers) and coots.
3Bag limit is 2 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in aggregate.
4Falconry geese season Zone 1.
5Falconry geese first split Zone 2.
6Falconry geese second split Zone 2.
72 daily and 6 in possession, singly or in the aggregate for all permitted migratory birds.
8Ducks (including mergansers), coots, and geese.
| Zone / Season | Dates | Daily Bag | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide1 | Sep 1 – Dec 16 Common (Wilson's) Snipe | 8 | 24 |
18 daily and 24 in possession.
Spring 2027 turkey season
Not announced yet. Most states set spring dates over the winter.
Checked October 16, 2026.
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See the turkey hunting appOfficial regulations
Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParksThe state sets the deer seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
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See the deer hunting appOfficial regulations
Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParksThe state sets the upland bird seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your upland bird hunts free in BlindBook.
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See the upland bird hunting appOfficial regulations
Hunting not allowedper Montana Dept. of Livestock
Montana Dept. of LivestockThe state sets the feral hog seasons, limits and tags. Check its current regulations before you go.
Log your feral hog hunts free in BlindBook.
Pin spots on the map, log every hunt and see your season add up.
See the feral hog hunting appSeason dates and bag limits are verified against official state wildlife agency publications and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Data shown is for the 2026-2027 season. This data was verified on August 13, 2026. Always confirm with the official regulations before hunting.
For waterfowl population trends, harvest analysis, and conservation research, see WaterfowlAI Insights.