Apr 8, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Federal Lead Ammo Bill: What Montana Bear and Elk Hunters Need to Know

A new federal bill protects lead ammo on BLM and Forest Service land — here's what it means for Montana hunters this spring and beyond.

Apr 7, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How to Judge a Bear’s Weight Before You Pull the Trigger

Montana's spring bear season opens April 15. Here's how to field-judge a bear's weight and age before you pull the trigger.

Apr 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Wisconsin Hunter Lost 10 Years: What Montana Poaching Actually Costs

A Wisconsin man just lost 10 years of Montana hunting privileges. Here's exactly what triggers long-term bans — and what every hunter must know right now.

Apr 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

14 Bear Encounters in the Bitterroot: One DIY Hunter’s Hard-Earned Spring Tag

A DIY hunter logs 14 bear encounters in Montana's Bitterroot Valley before finally closing the deal. Here's why this one's worth your time.

Apr 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Draw Results Dates 2026: Exactly When FWP Posts Every Species (And What to Do Next)

Montana draw results date 2026: exactly when FWP posts elk, deer, antelope, sheep, moose, goat & bison results — plus what to do if you drew or didn't.

Mar 29, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Six Wolves vs. One Grizzly: Who Really Wins in Montana?

Spring bear season opens April 15. Here's what science and trail cam footage reveal about wolf-grizzly showdowns — and what it means for your safety this spring.

Mar 28, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Sage Grouse Lawsuits Stack Up — What Montana Upland Hunters Need to Know Right Now

Legal battles threaten sage grouse habitat and hunting access across Montana's eastern prairie. What upland bird hunters need to know now.

Mar 28, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How to Age a Black Bear in the Field: Montana 2026 Guide

Montana's spring bear season is almost here. Learn how to age black bears on the hoof before you pull the trigger this spring.

Mar 28, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Bozeman ‘No Kings’ Protest Packs Streets: What Montana Hunters Must Do Now

Bozeman's 'No Kings' protest drew massive crowds over public lands fears. Here's what it means for your elk, deer, and upland access this fall.

Mar 28, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Idaho Fish & Game Commissioner Faces 7 Hunting Charges: What Montana Hunters Need to Know

An Idaho Fish and Game commissioner faces 7 criminal hunting charges. Here's why Montana hunters should be paying close attention right now.

Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Foothills Sheds Are Dropping Now: Best Montana Units This Weekend

Warm March temps are dropping elk and mule deer sheds early across Montana. Here's exactly where to look this weekend before the window closes.

Mar 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Warm March 2026 Is Moving Merriam’s Strut Zones — Scout Now

Montana's warm dry March is shifting where Merriam's toms strut. Here's how to adjust your pre-season scouting before the April opener.

Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Shed Hunting 2026: Which Units and Elevations Are Dropping Right Now

Late March snowpack is receding fast. Here's exactly which Montana units and elevation bands are producing fresh elk and mule deer sheds this week.

Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Fire Weather Watch: What Montana Spring Hunters Must Know This Week

A Fire Weather Watch is active in Montana this week — here's what turkey scouts, shed hunters, and spring bear hunters need to know before heading out.

Mar 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Turkey Opener 21 Days Out: Scout Water Now Before Strut Zones Lock In

Montana's turkey opener is 21 days out. Here's the one late-March scouting move on public land that most hunters skip — but shouldn't.

Mar 17, 2026 · Angela Montana

Elk Tenderloin Done Right: Best Cooking Methods Montana Hunters Swear By

Montana elk hunters, don't let that last tenderloin sit in the freezer. Here are the best cooking methods to do this prized cut justice.

Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Wyoming’s Elk Season Overhaul: 5 Things Montana Border Hunters Must Know

Wyoming's elk season changes affect Montana border hunters now. With MT draw deadlines April 1, here's what you need to know before submitting applications.

Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How Montana’s Deer and Elk Draw System Actually Works — And How Not to Get Burned by It

Montana's deer and elk draw system is complicated. Here's what hunters need to know about preference points, deadlines, and limited entry permits.

Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Outdoor Recreation Hit 5% of GDP — What Hunters and Anglers Need to Know

Montana's outdoor rec sector hit 5% of GDP in 2024 — here's why that $3.8B number matters for public land access and conservation funding right now.

Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Shed Hunting Now: Hit These Elevations Before Green-Up Buries Everything

Mid-March is your last realistic window to find elk and mule deer sheds in Montana before green-up hits. Here's where to walk right now.

Mar 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana’s $3.8B Outdoor Boom: What 32,000 New Jobs Mean for Your Hunting Season

Montana's $3.8B outdoor economy now ranks 3rd nationally, but explosive growth means more crowded trails, harder access, and tougher hunting seasons ahead.

Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Bears Emerging in February 2026: What Shed Hunters and Spring Outdoorsmen Must Know

Montana's mild 2026 winter has bears out weeks early. Here's what shed hunters, turkey scouts, and backcountry anglers need to know right now.

Mar 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Fixed vs. Mechanical Broadheads: What Montana Bowhunters Actually Need

Montana bowhunters debate fixed vs. mechanical broadheads for spring bear and fall elk. Here's what outfitters and public land hunters actually trust.

Mar 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How Montana Hunters Lost $800 in Venison—And How You Won’t

Montana hunters risk losing a freezer full of elk or deer every storm season. Here's how to protect your wild game before next outage hits.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Turkey Season 2026: Public Land Scout and Prep Guide

Montana's spring turkey season opens April 15. Here's your one-month public land scouting and prep guide to punch your tag opening week.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Hard Lessons Montana Outdoorsmen Learn Too Late Every Spring

Mid-March is Montana's most dangerous season. Here's what kills trips—and sometimes people—when anglers and hunters rush back outside too soon.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Realtree’s Spring Thunder Heads West — What Montana Merriam’s Hunters Can Learn From It

Realtree's Spring Thunder crew chases Merriam's turkeys in Black Hills country — here's what Montana hunters can take from it for a DIY public land spring hunt.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Backcountry Trail Cam Footage Shows What’s Really Moving When Nobody’s Watching

Year-round Montana backcountry trail cam footage from Diaries of a Trailcam — with tips on how hunters can use this intel to scout smarter.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Cracking Montana’s Elk Draw: What Every Non-Resident Needs to Know

Montana's elk draw is one of the most competitive in the West. Here's what non-residents need to know before applying this season.

Mar 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Cuts 2,500 Nonresident Deer Combo Tags: What Hunters Need to Know for 2026

Montana just cut 2,500 nonresident deer combo tags. Here's what hunters need to know before planning their 2026 season.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana FWP Cracks Down as Illegal Lion Kills Spike This Spring

Montana FWP reports a spike in illegal mountain lion kills this spring. Here's what violations are happening, penalties involved, and how to stay legal.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Montana Mountain Lion Hunters Must Know Right Now

Montana mountain lion hunters face strict new regulations amid rising illegal harvests. Learn the essential rules, quota systems, and penalties to stay legal.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana’s Truck-Mounted Thermal Scanner Laws: What Hunters Risk This Spring

Montana hunters need to know where the legal lines are on vehicle-mounted thermal scanners before spring predator and bear seasons begin.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Montana Hunters Should Do With Extra Elk and Deer Antlers

Shed season is peaking in Montana. Here's exactly what to do with extra elk and deer antlers — sell, craft, donate, or chew.

Mar 13, 2026 · Angela Montana

When Man’s Best Friend Pulls the Trigger: Bizarre Hunting Accidents Involving Dogs

Unusual hunting accidents have occurred when dogs accidentally discharged firearms. From an Indiana hunter injured in the blind to a fatal incident in Turkey, these cases highlight the importance of gun safety.

Mar 13, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Why Montana Hunters Are Losing Their Best Spots to Out-of-State Pressure

Montana hunters face growing pressure from out-of-state crowds on public lands. Why protecting local hunting traditions and giving resident voices priority matters now.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

More Grizzlies Are Waking Up: What Spring Backcountry Hunters Must Do Now

A Yellowstone grizzly is already out in mid-March. Montana backcountry hunters and anglers need bear safety dialed in before spring seasons open.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Shed Hunting 2026: Where to Find Elk and Mule Deer Antlers Right Now

Mid-March is your best window for Montana shed hunting. Here's where to find elk and mule deer antlers before the crowds beat you to them.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Every Montana Hunter Loses by Skipping FWP Meetings

Montana hunters who skip FWP meetings may lose hunting opportunities. These hearings decide tag allocations, district changes, and seasons that directly impact you.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

How to Navigate FWP’s Hunting and Fishing Reg System Before Spring Seasons Open

Montana FWP's updated reg system is live. Here's how to navigate it fast before spring turkey, bear, and paddlefish deadlines hit.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Turkey Season 2026: Tag Deadlines, Scouting Spots, and Call Prep

Montana's turkey opener is April 15. Here's how to scout Merriam's birds right now, nail your calls, and grab a tag before quotas close.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

First 2026 Yellowstone Grizzly Is Out: Montana Spring Backcountry Warning

A grizzly was spotted in Yellowstone March 10 feeding on bison. Montana backcountry users need to know what this means right now.

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

5 Pro Tips for Finding Fresh Elk and Deer Sheds in Montana This March

Discover 5 expert tips for finding fresh elk and deer antlers in Montana this March. Prime shed hunting season is here – learn where to look now!

Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Barnes TTSX Copper Bullets: Is the Switch Worth It for Montana Elk Hunters?

Montana hunters ask: is switching to Barnes TTSX copper bullets worth the hassle? We break down barrel prep, accuracy, and Montana-specific reasons to make the switch.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Grizzlies Are Out Early and Hungry: What It Means for Your Spring Backcountry Safety

Grizzlies are emerging early and hungry. Learn what this means for your spring fishing, shed hunting, and backcountry scouting safety in bear country.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Spring FWP Closures Every Montana Hunter and Angler Must Know

FWP spring 2026 closures affect bear, turkey, shed hunting & fishing. Here's what you need to know before heading out this week.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Spring Turkey Season Opens April 15, 2026: Scout Merriam’s Gobblers Now (Public Land Tips, Calls, and a Pre-Season Checklist)

Montana’s spring gobbler season opens April 15, 2026 in most districts—and the hunters who tag out usually aren’t winging it on opening morning. Use mid-March to locate winter flocks, mark roosts, identify strut zones, and dial in your calling plan so you’re ready when the woods light up with gobbling.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Grizzlies Are Waking Up Early—What That January Yellowstone Sighting Means for Spring Turkey, Fishing, and Shed Hunts

Grizzlies emerging weeks—or even months—ahead of the old spring timeline is becoming more common across Montana and Yellowstone. Here’s why it’s happening, where bear activity concentrates first, and how shed hunters, turkey hunters, and early-season anglers can adapt with practical, real-world safety steps.

Mar 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

First Grizzly Spotted in Yellowstone Signals Montana’s Riskiest Backcountry Window—What Hunters Need to Know Now

A Yellowstone grizzly’s first spring appearance is more than a headline—it’s a warning shot for Montana hunters and backcountry users. Over the next six to eight weeks, hungry bears will key in on carcasses and defensive sows with cubs will follow. Here’s what to watch for, where risk spikes, and how to move smarter in grizzly country this spring.

Mar 11, 2026 · Angela Montana

Where Trophy Whitetails Come From: Boone and Crockett Data Ranks the Top U.S. States (Plus Montana’s Big-Buck Potential)

Montana’s river bottoms and ranch country can grow gnarly whitetails—but Boone and Crockett’s latest record book shows exactly which states consistently turn out the biggest bucks. Here’s what the 17,000-entry data says about America’s top trophy whitetail destinations, from Wisconsin to the Midwest powerhouses and a few surprise standouts.