Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
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Planning to hunt central Montana’s Region 4 this season? Whether you’re glassing the Judith Basin or trekking through the Bears Paw Mountains, there is one “loophole” that will land you in a world of legal trouble: pulling the trigger before you’ve paid for your license.
In Montana hunting, buying a tag after the harvest isn’t a strategy—it’s poaching.
The Real Cost of Illegal Mountain Lion Hunting in Region 4
During the 2025 general big game season, Montana FWP game wardens saw a spike in “crimes of opportunity.” Five lions were taken illegally, with three hunters admitting they shot the cat first and attempted to buy a license second.
The FWP wardens know exactly how to track a digital paper trail. If the timestamp on your license purchase is later than the time you were in the field, you’re looking at:
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Massive Fines: Over $3,600 in combined fines and restitution.
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Legal Citations: Charges for hunting without a valid license or unlawful possession of wildlife.
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Loss of Trophy: Every one of those illegally taken lions was confiscated.
Expert Advice from FWP Game Warden Sergeant Trent Farmer
“Hunters are encountering and harvesting lions as they hunt for deer and elk and then attempting to circumvent the law by buying a license after the fact,” says Sergeant Farmer.
The takeaway is simple: Plan ahead. If you are out for elk hunting or deer hunting and a lion crosses your path, you cannot legally harvest it unless that tag is already in your pocket.
Preparing for the 2026 Montana Lion Hunting Season
The 2026 mountain lion hunting regulations, including updated season dates and harvest quotas, are expected to drop later this summer. Stay on the right side of the law and protect your hunting privileges by securing your tags early.
Press release courtesy of
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks News.
Montana Outdoor republishes FWP press releases to keep our readers informed about official wildlife and fisheries news from the state agency.