Oct 2, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
How Montana FWP Counts and Manages Mule Deer — And Why It Matters for Your Season
Montana FWP breaks down how biologists survey and manage mule deer populations — and what that process means for hunters across eastern Montana.
Sep 28, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Do You Have Legal Access to That Road in Madison County? Maybe Not.
Madison County is mapping roads hunters and anglers have used for years — and some may not be as public as everyone assumed.
Sep 27, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Grizzly Bear Attack Near Augusta Is a Warning Shot for Every Montana Bowhunter Heading Into the Front
A grizzly bear attacked a bowhunter near Augusta, MT on Sept. 14. Here’s what it means for hunters along the Rocky Mountain Front this season.
Sep 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
MT Outdoor Podcast Region 4 Preview: Elk, Deer and Surprises
In the latest Montana Outdoor Podcast, Dale interviews Wildlife Manager Cory Loecker about hunting in Region 4, highlighting potential elk populations reaching 1,000 to 2,000. The region's diverse terrain hosts various game animals. Loecker also discusses regulation changes and suggests ideal hunting spots, urging listeners to prepare before hunting season.
Sep 25, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Elderly man attacked by raccoon in Idaho
Here are reminders to help avoid conflicts with raccoons in town On the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 22, Idaho Fish […]
Sep 24, 2026 · Angela Montana
12-Year-Old Tags First Archery Bull
Twelve-year-old Luke Cooney has successfully tagged his first archery bull elk, marking a significant achievement in his hunting journey. The news was celebrated on the Trophy Bucks and Bulls of MT page, highlighting the pride in this memorable milestone. Congratulations to Luke on this impressive accomplishment!
Sep 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Why Fall Is Montana’s Most Dangerous Season for Bear Encounters — And What Hunters Need to Know
Montana FWP biologist Colby Anton explains why black bears are most dangerous in fall — and what hunters need to do to stay safe in the backcountry.
Sep 24, 2026 · Angela Montana
Friday Night Lights Out for Black Bear Season in BMU 700
Black bear management unit 700 will close to hunting one-half hour after sunset on September 25, 2026. Hunters are advised to review regulations before heading out, as this is the final opportunity to hunt bears in this area. Stay safe and good luck!
Sep 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
44 Yards, First Pronghorn, Public Land — Ayden’s Redemption Shot on a Montana Buck
Ayden finally connects on his first pronghorn buck at 44 yards after days of decoying antelope on Montana public land. Watch the full hunt.
Sep 22, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Two Wardens, Two Hunters, Two Broken Stories — This Wildlands Episode Shows Exactly How Montana Game Wardens Work
Watch how Montana game wardens unravel inconsistent hunter stories in this Wildlands episode — plus practical tips every Montana hunter needs to know.
Sep 21, 2026 · Angela Montana
Duck, Duck, Youth Hunt!
Montana’s Youth Waterfowl Weekend takes place on September 26–27, allowing hunters aged 15 and under to pursue waterfowl statewide. Licensed hunters aged 12–15 must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult, while apprentice hunters aged 10–15 need a mentor. All hunting regulations apply, including limited hours at Canyon Ferry WMA.
Sep 21, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Mountain Lion Blows Up a Montana Archery Elk Hunt — And the Video Is Worth Every Minute
A mountain lion crashes a fired-up bull elk encounter on a Montana backcountry archery hunt. Here’s what happened — and what hunters can learn from it.
Sep 21, 2026 · Angela Montana
NOTICE OF BLACK BEAR CLOSURES BMUs 510 & 520 Today
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has announced that hunting for all black bears in management units 510 and 520 will be prohibited starting one-half hour after sunset on September 21, 2026.
Sep 20, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Surrounded by Montana River Bottom Elk — What Buckmasters’ Jackie Bushman Did Next
Jackie Bushman gets surrounded by elk in a Montana river bottom. Here’s what happened — and what every bow hunter can take away from it.
Sep 20, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Elk Decoy Tactics That Actually Work in Montana — And the Safety Risk Most Hunters Ignore
An elk decoy can be a rut-season game-changer — or get you killed on crowded public land. Here’s what Montana hunters need to know.
Sep 19, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
When You Step Into the Wrong Pasture, the Warden Shows Up
Two bird hunters walk into a rancher’s pasture in Region 6 Montana. What happens next is a lesson every upland hunter needs to hear.
Sep 18, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Raking and Thrashing: The Late-September Tactic Silent Bulls Can’t Ignore
Silent bulls shutting down your archery elk hunt? Raking and thrashing may be the only call that works in late September Montana timber.
Sep 18, 2026 · Angela Montana
New Ground to Hunt in Region 3
The USDA Agricultural Research Station in Region 3 is now part of the Block Management Area, allowing limited hunter access while complying with federal regulations. Historically misidentified as BLM land, it is land used for research. Hunters must sign up by September 21 to access this area in October.
Sep 18, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Most Archery Hunts Don’t End With a Kill — A Montana Bowhunter Gets Real About Success
Most archery hunts don’t end with a kill — this Montana bowhunter gets real about what success actually looks like in the high country.
Sep 18, 2026 · Angela Montana
FWP study aimed at complaints about nonresident hunters
Montana hunting license sales have increased for both residents and nonresidents, while access to private land is at a historic low, causing concerns among resident hunters about overcrowding. House Bill 568 mandates a study to analyze hunting pressures and seek solutions protecting the state's hunting traditions. Legislative challenges remain regarding nonresident hunter limitations.
Sep 17, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
UM Hooks for Books Fundraiser Marks 50 Years of ‘A River Runs Through It’
UM News Service MISSOULA – Perhaps no other 20th century book has had a more profound impact on the state of Montana than Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs through It.” […]
Sep 17, 2026 · Angela Montana
First Bull with a Forever Story
Hunt Montana shared another first for archery hunter, Tyler Otool. A huge congratulations for putting his first bull on the […]
Sep 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Inside a Montana Archery Elk Camp: What WALSHFARMS68 Gets Right About the September Grind
Montana archery elk season demands serious camp planning. See how WALSHFARMS68 sets up for a month in elk country — plus tips for your own September hunt.
Sep 17, 2026 · Angela Montana
Chase the Hunt, Protect the Tradition
With all the excitement of what we’re chasing in the field this fall, FWP has a reminder worth carrying along […]
Sep 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Wardens Set Deer Decoy Trap During Winter Storm Brutus Near Glasgow — Driver Didn’t Stand a Chance
Montana wardens set a deer decoy trap near Glasgow during Winter Storm Brutus — what happened next is a masterclass in how poachers get caught.
Sep 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
He Confessed Before the K9 Even Sniffed — Cely Lake Elk Decoy Sting
Montana wardens ran a spike elk decoy near Cely Lake — and one hunter confessed before the K9 even got to work. Here’s what happened.
Sep 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
The One Question Montana Game Wardens Ask That Honest Hunters Never Worry About
A Montana game warden’s simple field question reveals more than hunters expect. Here’s what it means for you and how to hunt Region 4 the right way.
Sep 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
First-Ever Archery Bull on Montana Public Land — DIY, Opening Day, 100-Yard Shot
A DIY hunter tagged his first-ever archery bull elk on Montana public land on opening day of the 2026 early archery season — with a 100-yard bow shot.
Sep 12, 2026 · Angela Montana
Region 6 Revealed: The Best Bets for Montana Hunters in 2026 on the MT Outdoor Podcast
In the first episode of the Montana Outdoor Podcast's hunting preview series, Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson discusses expectations for the 2026 season, including improving mule deer numbers, below-average whitetail populations, and well-above-average pronghorn in many districts. He also emphasizes public access, hunter ethics, and chronic wasting disease management.
Sep 11, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Zinke Announces Introduction of the A River Runs Through It Act
Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced the introduction of the A River Runs Through It Act (ARRTI), a locally developed […]
Sep 11, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Special elk hunting access drawing in Deer Lodge Oct. 1
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Sep 11, 2026 · Angela Montana
Another Sunrise, Never Forgotten…Remembering 9/11
September marks a transition for hunters and fishermen, but it also signifies a somber remembrance of September 11, 2001, when 2,977 lives were lost. As we reflect on that day’s shock and bravery, we find solace in nature, cherishing family and freedom. Let us honor those lost and never forget.
Sep 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
What a Year-Round Trail Camera in the Rockies Reveals About Elk and Mule Deer Behavior — And What Montana Hunters Can Learn
A trail cam left running for a full year in the Rockies captured elk, mule deer, and seasonal shifts that every Montana backcountry hunter should see.
Sep 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Mid-September Bulls: Reset Your Tactics After Two Weeks of Pressure
Two weeks in and bulls are spooked. Here’s how to adjust your approach and close the distance on pressured Montana archery elk right now.
Sep 10, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Wardens Used This Elk Decoy Trick for 25 Years Near Cely Lake
Montana wardens Bill Copen and Kyle Miller reveal a 25-year elk decoy operation near Cely Lake — and what it means for hunters in Region 2.
Sep 10, 2026 · Angela Montana
A Giant Bull and an Even Bigger Dose of Perspective
Hunter Mike Stolt shares a reflective experience after tagging a bull and questioning his future solo hunts due to his age and physical condition. Meeting 76-year-old Mr. Preston, who still actively hunted despite health challenges, reignited Stolt's passion for the mountains, emphasizing the present moment over physical limitations.
Sep 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Decoy Pronghorn on Montana’s Open Prairie: What This Archery Hunt Gets Right
Master the decoy game for Montana pronghorn archery hunts. Learn how to beat their 320-degree vision and get within bow range on open prairie.
Sep 9, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
$27,000 for feeding bears and coyotes: Fair fine or too steep?
A man in British Columbia was hit with a $27,000 penalty for intentionally feeding bears and coyotes near a popular […]
Sep 9, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Following trial, Hamilton man sentenced to 2 years for unlawfully possessing firearms
A Hamilton man who unlawfully stored a cache of firearms at his house was sentenced today to 24 months in prison, followed […]
Sep 9, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Fundraiser launched for woman severely injured in grizzly bear attack
A fundraiser has been launched to support a woman who was severely injured in a grizzly bear encounter in northwest […]
Sep 9, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Dry Riverside Project to Improve Forest Resilience, Contributing to Local Economy
The Flathead National Forest announced today that the Dry Riverside Project has completed the planning process and required consultation with the release […]
Sep 8, 2026 · Angela Montana
BMU 520 Black Bear Hunting Closure
Montana wildlife officials have closed black bear archery hunting in Bear Management Unit 520, effective September 10, 2026, at sunset. This closure includes all black bears and will last until the end of the archery-only season, as mandated by the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission.
Sep 8, 2026 · Angela Montana
One Tag, One Giant Bull, One Possible World Record
Talk about showing up and accidentally rewriting the record book. According to an article from Outdoor Life, Illinois bowhunter Drew […]
Sep 8, 2026 · Angela Montana
First Bull, Full Send!
Jackson Heino achieved an impressive feat by harvesting a Montana bull elk on his first archery hunt, showcasing his skills and dedication. Hunt Montana, a lifestyle brand promoting outdoor adventures, extends good wishes to all hunters this season, reminding them to hunt safely and stay updated with the Montana FWP regulations.
Sep 8, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Raking, Screaming, and Closing the Distance on September Bulls
Montana’s archery elk season is in week two. Here’s how to escalate from cow calls to aggressive raking on pressured public land bulls.
Sep 7, 2026 · Angela Montana
NOTICE OF BLACK BEAR CLOSURE BMU 700 Archery Season
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has declared the BLACK BEAR MANAGEMENT UNIT: 700 closed to all black bear hunting, effective one-half hour after sunset on September 9, 2026, for the remainder of the archery season.
Sep 7, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
The Warden Was Already Watching — Three Hunters Didn’t Know It
A Montana game warden watched three hunters shoot a mule deer buck through his scope before walking down to ask one question. Here’s what happened.
Sep 6, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Calling Bulls on Pressured Public Land: September Tactics That Work Now
Archery elk season is open and bulls are bugling. Here’s how to call pressured public land bulls in Montana right now.
Sep 6, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
48 Charges, 20 Dead Bucks, and One Poacher Near Whitefish — Why This Case Matters
A poacher near Whitefish racked up 48 charges after killing 20+ mature bucks and leaving them to rot. Here’s why this case matters to every Montana hunter.
Sep 5, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Trail where woman was attacked by grizzly reopens
photo:pixabay