Planning a hunt in northeast Montana this fall? Before you decide where to spend your valuable hunting days, hear directly from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife manager responsible for Region 6.

In the first episode of our annual Montana Outdoor Podcast’s Montana Hunting Preview Series, Downrigger Dale sits down with Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson to discuss what hunters can expect for the 2026 season.

Topics include:

• Mule deer numbers continue improving after several difficult years.

• Whitetail deer remain below average following EHD outbreaks.

• Pronghorn populations are well above average in many districts.

• Elk numbers are mixed, with the Bear Paw Mountains remaining one of the brighter spots.

• Upland bird hunting looks fair to good, with encouraging signs for pheasants and Hungarian partridge.

• Waterfowl success will depend heavily on migration timing and weather.

Best of all Scott gives some great recommendations of where you can find all those critters we just listed above. Scott also discusses public access, Block Management, hunter ethics, chronic wasting disease, and why respecting private landowners is more important than ever. 

Whether you’re a lifelong Montana hunter or planning your first trip, this annual series provides some of the most valuable preseason information available directly from the professionals managing Montana’s wildlife. So, what are you waiting for click here to watch or here to listen and get to planning your hunt! Don’t forget This is Episode 1 of our seven-part Montana Hunting Preview Series. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the remaining six regions over the coming weeks.

Links:

• To learn more about Region 6 click here.
• Click here to read the Northeast Montana Big Game Forecast.
• For the Upland Game Bird Forecast click here.
• Click here for interactive map of Region 6 hunting districts.
• For info about Block Management access in Region 6 click here.
• Click here to go to the interactive hunt planner map.
• For Montana Deer, Elk and Antelope (Pronghorn) Regulations click here.
• Click here for Montana Upland Game Bird Hunting Regulations.
• For Montana Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations click here.
• Click Here to learn about the FWP Protect the Hunt Respect Access Program.
  • To watch the Podcast Rigger did with Greg Lemon about that program, click here.
• Questions for Region 6 Wildlife Manager Scott Thompson? Click here to send Scott an email.
• Questions, comments or suggestions for Downrigger Dale? Click here to email him.