f Hunting District 501 was part of your bighorn sheep plans, it’s time to put the brakes on. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says HD 501 will close to all bighorn sheep hunting one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. These quick closures are part of how Montana manages sheep hunting: HD 501 is one of several districts with a harvest quota, and once that quota is reached, the season shuts down on short notice. That makes sense for an animal Montana has spent decades bringing back across the landscape.
FWP estimates roughly 5,700 bighorn sheep live in Montana outside Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, spread among about 45 populations, and 36 of those populations support limited hunting. Montana also has some serious heavyweight sheep credentials: three of the five highest-scoring Rocky Mountain bighorns recognized by the Boone and Crockett Club came from Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake. So, for HD 501 hunters, Wednesday evening is the finish line, not merely another sunset. Check FWP’s current quota and closure information before heading out, because with bighorns, the calendar can change faster than the weather on a Montana ridge.
Sources: Montana FWP Bighorn Sheep Hunting Guide and quota information and Montana FWP Bighorn Sheep Conservation and population information
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