Elk handle the landscape a lot like we do: they go where the gates are, and they leave when the […]

Midseason checks in southwestern Montana found mixed hunter participation and success amid unusually mild weather. Biologists contacted 759 hunters, who harvested 39 elk, 29 mule deer and two white-tailed deer. Participation and success varied by station, with Divide notably busier. Black and grizzly bears remain active, requiring continued bear awareness.

Warm weather marked the third weekend of Montana’s big-game season, drawing 704 hunters to south-central check stations. Harvests generally exceeded averages, with mule deer leading at 228, followed by white-tailed deer at 163, elk at 147, and antelope at 82. CWD testing found 10 positives among 373 submitted samples.

Big game harvest along Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front remains above average after three weekends, despite slightly fewer hunters using the Augusta check station. Hunters have reported 289 deer and elk, including strong whitetail and elk numbers, with success near 25 percent. The station also recorded other wildlife and continues operating through Nov. 29.

Montana’s 2026–27 wolf season has produced 46 of 300 permitted harvests so far, led by Regions 1 and 2. Region 3 has reached one-third of its cap, while WMU 313 is closed after meeting its limit. Four regions report no kills. All harvests were by hunters; trapping begins November 30, with no reported non-target captures.

Zack Boughton and Colby Adamek spend a week chasing a mature mountain buck with heavy packs. Here’s what Montana hunters can take from it.

David Draper’s pronghorn field-judging advice emphasizes caution: appearance can mislead. Estimate horn length from multiple angles, accounting for curl and using the animal’s features as references. Measure prongs from tip to horn center, remembering hidden width adds roughly two inches. Most importantly, evaluate horn mass and base shape, ideally broadside, since mass heavily influences score.

Yellowstone-region grizzly deaths have set a modern record for the third straight year, and 2026 has already topped prior marks with weeks left before denning.

A 120-pound ewe with a red ear tag vanished from a Montana ranch two months ago. Officials fear she could spread disease to wild herds. Here's the full story.

Western Montana’s late-fall fishing is productive amid mild weather, settled flows, and reduced crowds. Trout are holding in deep, slow winter water, with BWOs and midges dominating surface activity. The best window is 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Bitterroot waters offer the strongest overall fishing, while the Blackfoot favors streamers and Rock Creek wading.

The 2026 Fall Mack Days event broke records with 21,985 lake trout entries over nine weeks, supporting efforts to restore native trout in Flathead Lake. Terry Krogstad led overall with 1,626 entries, while Shaunda Albert won Top Lady Angler. Winners also included youth, Golden Angler, tagged-fish, and Spirit of the Event recipients.

Pronghorn season ended in southeast Montana with pleasant weather, slightly below-average hunter attendance, and strong pronghorn harvests. Hunters generally reported good pronghorn and mule deer numbers and satisfactory experiences. Mule deer and white-tailed deer harvests remained below average, partly because of conservative license allocations. Officials reminded all hunters to stop at biological check stations, which support wildlife management.

After three weekends, west-central Montana’s big game harvest is near last year’s levels and slightly above the five-year average. Stations recorded 78 mule deer, 224 white-tailed deer and 184 elk from 5,324 hunter stops. Hunters must stop at every check station and can voluntarily submit free CWD samples at designated locations.

Northwest Montana check stations recorded 269 white-tailed deer, 48 mule deer bucks and 32 elk among 4,832 hunters through the third weekend. Harvest success was 7.2%, down from 8.3% in 2025, likely because of warm weather. Cooler conditions and the rut may improve results. Hunters should review regulations, access rules, bear safety guidance and CWD testing requirements.

Les Hicks drew a tag most hunters only dream about…then actually made it count!! He shared his picture and brief […]

Montana feeder prices slid Nov. 1-7 as CME futures sold off and mud thinned the buyer pool. See what it means for your calves and next sale.

Seven days into an Idaho elk hunt, Henry and his friend Mitch split up to improve their odds. Before sunrise […]

Redbandia Outdoors breaks down where big trout hold on big western rivers, and why Montana anglers keep walking past the best water.

Grizzly deaths in the Yellowstone region hit a record high for the third year running. Find out what's driving the losses and what it means for bear country.

Montana's trophy brown trout are staging in deep water before spawn. Learn where to find pre-spawn browns and how to target them with streamers now.

At 15, Nicholas J. Kopp headed from Kentucky to a family friend’s Indiana farm, hoping for a memorable rut hunt […]

November fishing on the Madison below Hebgen Lake offers migrating browns, cool weather, and variable conditions. Water is 641 cfs at 48.4°F, with cold mornings and possible snow. Dress in layers, check roads, and fish streamers or soft hackles. Use midges, midday BWOs, or late-afternoon caddis during their peak activity windows.

This recipe makes four smoky venison hot dogs in about 20 minutes. Caramelize sliced onions with smoked paprika and brown sugar, then grill or pan-sear the hot dogs until browned and heated through, reaching 160°F if raw. Toast the buns and top with onions, mustard, relish, cheddar, sauerkraut, or jalapeños.

A new video asks how Montana lost millions of wild animals and why the recovery is still unfinished. Here’s what it means for hunters and anglers.

Montana's bighorn sheep restoration depends on private land access, but hunters could lose out as FWP grapples with the next phase of expansion.

Montana FWP reminds hunters and residents that using bait to hunt game animals and supplemental feeding of wildlife are both illegal under state law.

Peak rut is overlapping rifle season in HD 700s and 500s right now. Here's where to set up and how to hunt bucks moving in daylight.

Maryland schools are serving invasive blue catfish in a crab-cake-style sandwich called the “Catty Patty.” The initiative aims to make students part of the solution while creating market demand that encourages fishermen to remove the predator from the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Though not a complete fix, it could help protect native wildlife.

Reports from all across Montana filtered, reported, and posted here and we have you covered. If you missed this week’s […]

Ryker Bair and his father are enjoying memorable Fall Mack Days outings. Ryker recently caught an impressive 39-inch fish and is still pursuing a 40-plus-incher. With the competition ending Sunday the 8th, anglers can continue entering through the final day. Participants are encouraged to grab their gear and join the excitement.

This is the last weekend for Fall Mack Days, FWP Reports on hunting season, Brett French Outdoor Editor of the […]

A Missouri truck skips a check station near Augusta, and warden Brian Goalie follows. Wardens Season 6 opens with a lesson in how enforcement really works.

Game wardens are cracking down on illegal baiting this season. Learn why trail cameras and feed store purchases could land hunters in serious trouble.

Montana FWP is improving accessible trails at Flathead Lake State Park, widening paths and removing obstacles to make state parks more welcoming for people with disabilities.

The rut is over and snow is moving bulls to predictable lower ground. Here's where Montana elk are holding right now and how to punch your tag.

This Montana Outdoor Podcast explores Fort Peck Reservoir’s unusual king salmon season, featuring fewer catches but exceptionally large fish, including a 36.3-pound specimen. Fisheries biologist Heath Headley and hatchery manager Wade Geraets discuss the 2026 egg collection, hatchery operations, reasons behind the salmon’s growth, future fishing prospects, and the success of the inaugural Tournament of Kings derby.