Grouse and turkeys are in the crosshairs as Montana’s 2026 fall hunting season begins today.

Mountain grouse, partridge, sharp-tailed grouse and turkeys are fair game.

Saturday, Sept. 5, licensed big game archery hunters may pursue elk, deer, black bears, wolves and mountain lions. For those successful at drawing special permits, the archery season also begins Saturday for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat.

The youth deer season is Oct. 15-16.

The general firearms season opening days vary by species. 

For black bears and wolves, Tuesday, Sept. 15, is the first legal day to harvest those species.

Again, those holding special draw licenses for bighorn sheep, moose and mountain goat, the general season also begins Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The fall general deer and elk seasons begin Saturday, Oct. 24.

Harvest for antlerless elk in Region 1 is limited to private land for those with the proper B tag. The state Fish and Wildlife Commission also eliminated the opportunity to harvest a cow elk for hunters who have a Permit to Hunt From a Vehicle.

For trappers in Region 1, the first day is Nov. 1 for beaver, mink, muskrat and otter. For fisher and marten, where open, and bobcat, the first day is Dec. 1.

Recently, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission set a quota of 300 wolves, including 131 in Region 1. In 2025, the Region 1 wolf harvest was 130.

Hunters and trappers must have the required licenses and permits to harvest various species.

For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt or call the Region 1 office in Kalispell at 406-752-5501 or state headquarters at 406-444-2535.