GREAT FALLS – During 2025, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks game wardens reported an increase in the number of mountain lions illegally harvested in central Montana by hunters who had not already purchased a license.
Five lions were taken by hunters in Region 4 during the 2025 general big game season, and wardens report that three of the five hunters later admitted to buying their license after they had already shot the lion. All three of those hunters were issued citations for either hunting without a valid license, or unlawful possession of wildlife. Fines and restitution for the three hunters totaled $3,605 and all of the lions were confiscated.
“These are really just crimes of opportunity,” said Game Warden Sergeant Trent Farmer, who assisted with the investigations. “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. Hunters interested in harvesting a lion need to plan ahead and buy their license before the season begins.”
Full details on the 2026 lion hunting regulations, seasons and quotas will be available later this summer.
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