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
Montana Duck Hunters Can Shape 2026-27 Waterfowl Seasons Right Now
Montana waterfowl hunters have a rare window to influence 2026-27 season dates and bag limits. Here's what's proposed and how to comment now.
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
Montana Hunters First Act: What It Means for Your 2026 Tags
The Montana Hunters First Act reshapes resident hunting rights. Here's what it means for public land access, draw seasons, and your 2026 tags.
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
Montana Hunter Ed 2026: Deadlines, Locations, and How to Register
Montana hunter ed classes are filling fast. Here's where to find 2026 spring/summer sessions before fall draw deadlines close the door.
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’s 2026 Elk Regulations Changed: What to Know Before Drawing Deadlines
Montana's 2026 elk hunting rules just changed. Review new regulations now before application deadlines—quota shifts could affect your season plans.
Mar 12, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan
Volunteers sought to monitor osprey nests in Flathead Valley
As spring approaches in northwest Montana, the return of ospreys signals the beginning of another breeding season in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead Audubon Society is inviting community members to help track the health of the local osprey population through its Osprey Nest Monitoring Project.
Mar 12, 2026 · Angela Montana
Food Coma Phenomenon: Why Bears (and Humans) Crash After a Big Meal
From berry-stuffed bears to hunters nodding off at daybreak, the “eat big, pass out” pattern shows up across species. Here’s why food comas look so similar in the wild and at home—and how the same instincts can kick in when calories are plentiful.
Mar 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Tagged Elk on Public Land? What Montana Hunters Must Know
Montana hunters need to know the law before shooting a tagged elk. Here's exactly what FWP says about escaped game farm elk.
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 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Montana Shed Hunting 2026: Find Elk Antlers Before the Rush
Low snowpack is opening Montana elk country weeks early. Here's exactly where to go right now to find fresh sheds before everyone else does.
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 · Angela Montana
Montana Hunter Education Classes (2026): Spring & Summer Dates in Central and Eastern MT + How to Register
Ready to hunt in Montana? Montana FWP is listing in-person hunter education classes and online-student field days across central and eastern Montana this spring and summer. Seats can fill fast, and students must be registered before class begins—here’s how to sign up plus the full schedule of dates and towns.
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
No Public Meetings in Montana: Forest Service Push to Scrap the Roadless Rule Could Reshape Elk Country and Trout Streams
A coalition of 17 Montana recreation and sportsmen’s groups says federal officials are moving to eliminate the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—without holding a single public meeting in Montana. Here’s what the Roadless Rule protects, why the process matters, and what hunters, anglers, and other backcountry users can do right now.
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
Montana FWP: LMU 422 Will Close to Male Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset on March 12, 2026
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has ordered LMU 422 closed to all hunting of male mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Check the official quota status page for the latest details.
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.
Mar 10, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helicoptering Into Landlocked Public Land in Wyoming for Elk Sparks Viral Rancher Confrontation—and a Theft Charge
After more than a decade of building Wyoming elk preference points, Andrew McKean and friends cashed in on a hard-to-access unit by flying a helicopter into landlocked public ground surrounded by private ranches. The hunt was lights-out—until a nearby rancher allegedly hauled off an elk head, triggering a tense confrontation, a viral video, and a theft charge.
Mar 6, 2026 · Angela Montana
New Automated Gate Added at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River: Hours & Rules
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks installed an automated gate at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site near Livingston to curb overnight use, vandalism, and after-hours issues. Daytime access remains the same: open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; overnight camping is prohibited.
Mar 5, 2026 · Angela Montana
Best Nymph Rigs for the Gallatin River (Plus Top Flies & Where to Fish at 301 CFS)
With the Gallatin running at 301 CFS at Gallatin Gateway, The River’s Edge reports fishing has been phenomenal—and even a colder stretch shouldn’t slow the bite much. Most consistent action is still subsurface: nymph rigs through deeper seams and buckets, or covering water with streamers. Here’s what’s working, plus section-by-section tips for fishing the Gallatin from Yellowstone to the Valley.
Mar 2, 2026 · Angela Montana
Livingston, MT Fishing Report (Feb 15–Mid-March): Prime Afternoons, Slow Water, and a Growing Shot at Big Pre-Spawn Rainbows
Winter still has a say, but the Livingston-area bite improves steadily through mid-March—especially for bigger pre-spawn rainbows. Focus on afternoons (possibly late morning by March 1), fish low-and-slow in deep walking-pace pools, and watch for brief midge or winter BWO activity on warm, calm days. Here’s the latest river-by-river guidance from Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing.
Mar 2, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Wolf Harvest Update: 241 Taken So Far (Out of 452) — Regional Breakdown, Open Units, and Season Dates
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports 241 wolves harvested statewide so far this season out of a 452 quota (excluding WMUs 313 and 316). Here’s the regional breakdown, which units are open/closed, season dates, and why checking FWP’s live counter matters before you head out.
Feb 28, 2026 · Angela Montana
Grilled Bison (or Elk) Tri-Tip With Bell Pepper Chimichurri: Kokanee Quinn’s Flavor-Packed Recipe
Fire up the grill for Kokanee Quinn’s bison (or elk) tri-tip topped with a bright red bell pepper chimichurri—parsley, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and a touch of heat. Simple prep, big wild-game payoff.
Feb 27, 2026 · montanaoutdoor
Deer Hunting Checklist: Gear, Licenses, Safety, and Field Dressing Essentials for a Smooth, Legal Hunt
A deer hunting checklist keeps you legal, safe, and prepared—from licenses and land access to weapon readiness, navigation, scent control, and field dressing gear. Use this streamlined list to reduce mistakes, stay organized in bad weather, and focus on reading sign instead of scrambling.
Feb 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
Video: Coyote Chases 3-Year-Old Through Front Gate in Pasadena—Mom’s Scream Sends It Running
A coyote was captured on camera chasing a 3-year-old boy through the front gate of his Pasadena home—until his mom’s scream from inside the yard sent the animal the other way. It’s a stark reminder that wildlife awareness isn’t just for the backcountry; sometimes it starts right in the front yard.
Feb 25, 2026 · Angela Montana
Elk Hoof Disease Explained: How TAHD Spreads, What Researchers Know, and Why Hunters Are Worried
Elk hoof disease (TAHD) is a painful, polymicrobial infection that leaves elk lame and struggling to walk. First detected in Southwest Washington in the late 1990s, it surged after 2007–2008 and has spread into parts of Oregon, Idaho, and California. With no vaccine or treatment for wild elk and many unanswered questions about transmission and vulnerability, hunters and wildlife managers across the West—especially in nearby states like Montana—are watching closely.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Closes Male Mountain Lion Season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 After Sunset (Feb. 24, 2026)
Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered the male mountain lion season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 to close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Hunters should check current quota status before heading out.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Hunting Licenses Go on Sale March 1: What Opens, What Changed This Year, and What to Check Before You Buy
March 1 is Montana’s “opening day for paperwork”: licenses go on sale and special draw applications open. With multiple rule changes tied to the 2025 Legislature and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, this is the year to double-check requirements before you buy—don’t assume it’s the same as last season.
Feb 22, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana LMU 680 Closing to Female Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset (Feb. 23, 2026) — What to Know
By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, LMU 680 will close to all hunting of female mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Get the effective time/date, what’s changing, and where to check official quota status on Montana FWP.