Sep 22, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Youth Waterfowl Weekend Opens Saturday for Hunters 15 and Under

Montana’s Youth Waterfowl Weekend is Sept. 26-27, open to licensed hunters 15 and under statewide for ducks, geese, mergansers and coots. Adult supervision required.

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 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 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

What Missoula Mule Deer Hunters Need to Know About CWD—September 23 Meeting

Montana FWP hosts a mule deer and CWD information session Sept. 23 in Missoula, featuring local biologists discussing population trends, research, and disease monitoring.

Sep 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana FWP Special Meeting Sept. 24: Trap Checks, Bear Spray, Predator Rules

Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission holds special Zoom meeting Sept. 24 on trap check rules, bear spray requirements, and predator management policy. Public comment due Sept. 18.

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 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 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 5, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

5 Early-Season Elk Calling Setups That Work in Montana’s September Timber

Discover 5 proven elk calling setups for Montana’s early archery season. Learn why pre-rut bulls respond differently and how to seal the deal.

Aug 30, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Archery Whitetail: Tag to Table (2026 Guide)

Archery season opens Sept 1 — here's exactly how to scout, shoot, and fill your Montana whitetail tag before rifle hunters ever hit the woods.

Aug 29, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Dove Opener September 1: Find Birds Before the Crowds Do

Montana’s dove season opens September 1. Here’s a boots-on-the-ground guide to finding birds on public and Block Management lands before everyone else shows up.

Aug 26, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Your Montana Archery Elk Checklist: What to Verify Before September 1

Montana archery elk season 2026 starts September 1. Run through this complete bowhunter checklist before the opener so you don’t leave opportunity behind.

Aug 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Madison County FWP lands now under Stage I fire restrictions

Montana FWP lands in Madison County are now under Stage I fire restrictions, prohibiting open campfires and limiting smoking and cooking on FWP-managed properties.

Aug 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Glass These Montana Ridges Now to Find Velvet Bulls Before September

Archery elk opens September 1. Here’s where Montana bowhunters should be glassing right now to pin down velvet bulls before the opener.

Aug 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Dove Season Opens September 1: Drought Moved the Birds

Montana dove season opens September 1. Drought shifted bird distribution statewide — here’s where to find mourning doves in 2026 and what to do now.

Aug 15, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Kootenai River Fishing Report: Flows, Hatches, and What’s Biting Below Libby Dam Right Now

Get the latest Kootenai River fishing report — current flows, hatch activity, best access points below Libby Dam, and fly recommendations for trout and whitefish.

Aug 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana PLPW Committee Meeting Aug. 20: What Hunters Need to Know

Montana’s PLPW Advisory Committee meets Aug. 20 via Zoom to review landowner incentive survey results, discuss FWP access program funding, and finalize recommendations.

Aug 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

30 Days to Dove: Scout Eastern Montana’s Best Fields Right Now

Dove season opens September 1. Here’s where eastern Montana hunters should be scouting right now — fields, water holes, and public access spots.

Aug 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Ditch the Bugle: First-Week Archery Elk Tactics for Montana Openers

Montana’s archery elk opener is days away. Here’s a first-week field tactics guide covering bull behavior, calling, access, and early September conditions.

Jul 31, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Hopper Season Peaks Now on the Madison, Big Hole, and Bitterroot

Hopper season is peaking on Montana’s best rivers right now. Here’s where to go, what to tie on, and how to fish before hoot owl windows close.

Jul 29, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Additional fishing restrictions and closures begin July 29 on several Montana rivers and creeks

Montana FWP expands hoot owl fishing restrictions starting July 29 on the Big Hole, Blackfoot, and other southwest and western Montana rivers due to rising water temperatures.

Jul 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Flathead Lake: The Complete Fishing, Recreation, and Wildlife Guide for Montana Outdoorsmen

Flathead Lake is Montana’s crown jewel for fishing, wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Here’s your complete guide to making the most of every season.

Jul 14, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

8 Weeks Out: Montana Bowhunter’s Elk Conditioning and Tune-Up Plan

Montana archery elk opens in early September. Here’s an 8-week physical and gear prep plan built for high-elevation backcountry hunting.

Jul 12, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

8 Weeks Out: Your Body and Bow Are Already Behind

Montana archery elk opens in early September. Here’s exactly how to spend the next 8 weeks getting your body and bow ready for the mountains.

Jul 10, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Blackfoot River floating closure below Weigh Station Fishing Access begins July 15

The Blackfoot River near Milltown will be closed to floating from Weigh Station FAS to the I-90 bridge starting July 15 due to BNSF railway bridge construction.

Jul 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

A tail of two suckers: Angler buddies set fish records for two species in Catostomidae family

Two Montana fishing buddies made history on Salmon Lake when Todd Smitham landed a record largescale sucker, while pal Jonathan Miller already holds the longnose sucker record.

Jul 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Biologists cautiously optimistic that late spring moisture will help boost mule deer numbers in north-central Montana

Montana FWP biologists are cautiously optimistic that late spring rainfall will improve mule deer numbers in north-central Montana after three years of drought-driven population declines.

Jun 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

60 Days Out: How to Scout Your Limited-Entry Archery Elk Unit Before September

Draw results are in. If you’re holding a limited-entry archery elk tag, here’s how to spend the next 60 days scouting smarter before September.

Jun 23, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

You Drew a Limited Entry Archery Elk Tag: Your 60-Day Scouting Blueprint

Draw results are in. Here’s how to use the next 60 days to build a real kill plan before Montana’s August archery elk opener.

Jun 20, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

You Drew a Montana Archery Elk Tag: Build Your Scouting Plan Now

Drew a Montana limited-entry archery elk tag? The 60-90 day window before August is your most critical scouting period. Here’s your action plan.

Jun 20, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Yellowstone Green Drake Hatch Peaks Now: Tactics for Late June

The Yellowstone green drake hatch is peaking right now. Here’s your tactical guide to timing, flies, and the best stretches from Gardiner to Livingston.