Heads-up from FWP before the calendar sneaks up on you: Nov. 30 is doing a lot of heavy lifting this year. If bobcat is on your list, you’ll need a Bobcat Hunting License in hand by then — and if you’re the hunt-and-trap type, your General Trapping License has to be bought by Nov. 30 to be “valid for bobcat” (that’s the actual fine print, and it matters). Mountain lion hunters get something new: “one type of Mountain Lion License” now covers both the fall and winter seasons across all open Lion Management Units — but FWP is firm that every hunter must “check harvest quota status of the LMU they intend to hunt” before rolling out, and nonresidents should brush up on the Nonresident Hound License rules.
While you have the calendar open: bison opens Nov. 15; deer, elk, bear, goat, moose, sheep, and fall lion seasons all wrap up Nov. 29; western district river and stream fishing closes Nov. 30; and wolf trapping opens that same day outside the areas affected by the federal court order (see page 17 of the 2026 Wolf Regulations). Buy the tag, check the quota, thank yourself later.
License reminders:
- Bobcat Licenses — Residents who want to hunt bobcats must purchase a Bobcat Hunting License by Nov. 30. Residents wishing to hunt and trap bobcats must purchase their General Trapping License by Nov. 30 to be valid for bobcat.
- Mountain Lion Licenses — New this year: One type of Mountain Lion License is available for purchase, which covers the fall and winter seasons in all open Lion Management Units (LMUs). All lion hunters must check harvest quota status of the LMU they intend to hunt. Nonresidents should review the requirements around the Nonresident Hound License.
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