The Guide to Montana Pheasant Season 2025
Not many things in life can beat walking across the land on a crisp, fall morning and having the pristine stillness of the air broken by the sound of wings exploding from tall grass.
Montana pheasant hunting offers hunters mornings like this on wide-open prairies, long walks with man's best friend (and human friends), and the chance to take home arguably the most iconic upland bird in North America.
Whether you're planning your first trip or you're an experienced pheasant hunter, success depends on knowing where to go, when to hunt, and how to prepare. From season dates and licensing to proven tactics and gear, here's everything you need to hunt pheasant under the Big Sky.
What Makes Montana Upland Bird Hunting Great?
Unlike some states where pheasant populations are limited to small areas, Montana provides wide-ranging access to quality upland bird hunting. The state's numerous habitat transitions, such as those between croplands and tall grasses or cattails, are ideal for hunters who are willing to do some walking.
Where to Go for Montana Pheasant Hunting
Pheasant hunters have a multitude of choices due to Montana's size and diverse habitats. Here are a few!
Cascade, Chouteau, and Pondera Counties
These areas are renowned for their rich agricultural fields, prairie grasslands, wetlands, and river bottoms. All of these habitats create perfect cover and food sources for ring-necked pheasants.
Fergus County and Lewistown Area
Fergus County offers some of the most accessible public land in the state. The Coffee Creek Block Management Area near Denton covers 800 acres, and the Wolf Creek property adds 1,000 acres to create a massive 14,000-acre block of contiguous walk-in hunting land.
For someone looking for walk-in public opportunities, these are hard to beat.
Pheasant Season Montana Dates for 2025
When can you hunt pheasants in Montana?
Montana upland bird hunting enthusiasts should mark these dates on the calendar:
- General season: October 11, 2025–January 1, 2026
- Youth-only hunt: September 27–28, 2025
Montana's youth weekend opens before the general season, giving young hunters their own opportunity to bag a bird.
Montana's hunting seasons vary slightly from year to year, so remember to check the latest dates.
Is Hunter Orange Required for Montana Upland Bird Season?
Montana law does not require hunter orange when chasing roosters (male ring-necked pheasants). Still, safety should come first. Wearing a blaze orange cap or vest increases visibility and lowers the risk of accidents, especially when hunting with partners.
Though big game hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of orange above the waist and visible from all sides, this rule does not apply to pheasant hunters.
Bag Limits (Possession Limits), Legal Target, and Hunting Hours
Montana pheasant hunting regulations are easy to follow once you know them. Here's a quick overview of bag limits and more.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits
Hunters may take three roosters per day. The possession limit is nine (three times the daily bag limit).
Legal Target
Only roosters are legal to harvest. Hens are protected and must be left undisturbed.
Hunting Hours
Legal hunting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset each day of the season. Arrive early and be ready to walk at first light when pheasants are most active.
License Requirements for Montana Pheasant Hunters
Before you head to the field, ensure you have the necessary licenses.
Montana requires an Upland Game Bird License for all pheasant hunters as well as a Conservation License, which serves as the base license required for all hunters. You must purchase your base hunting license before buying any other species-specific license.
Nonresident hunters may purchase a Upland Game Bird License, but it's a good idea to choose the Nonresident Combination License to hunt multiple species. Note that Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required for migratory bird hunters, but not for pheasant hunters.
Hunter Education in Montana
Education is the linchpin of responsible hunting, and the state enforces standards to support a safe Montana upland bird season.
Anyone born after January 1, 1985, must show proof of hunter education to buy a license.
This means you won't be able to get out for a pheasant hunt without getting your hunter safety certification first. However, hunter safety certificates are valid for life and are accepted by many other states, making them a valuable investment for future hunts.
Montana's "Youth Apprentice" program allows hunters ages 10–17 to participate without hunter education, provided they're under the direct supervision of a licensed adult mentor.
How to Hunt Pheasant (Successfully)
Hunting in Montana's vast landscapes requires planning, patience, and the right approach.
Scouting and Preparation
Look for transition zones where croplands meet grasslands, cattails, or shelterbelts. At sunrise and sunset, use binoculars to spot birds as they feed in grain stubble or cut corn, then track where they retreat for cover.
Walk-in areas and Block Management properties often hold birds, but can draw mid-afternoon crowds, so consider hunting early or late in the day.
Hunting with (or without) Dogs
A well-trained dog is a tremendous asset, and pointers and flushing breeds can locate birds that you might otherwise miss. When hunting with dogs, work into the wind to maximize scenting ability.
Field Tactics for Pheasant Season Montana
In the late season, birds retreat to heavy cover such as cattails, shelterbelts, and CRP fields. Group hunts can employ the block-and-drive method, where blockers position themselves at the ends of fields while others push the birds forward.
Don't overlook fence lines, irrigation ditches, and coulees, which often hide wary roosters.
Shooting Tips for Montana Upland Bird Hunting
Be ready for pheasants to flush quickly and unpredictably. Keep your shotgun at the ready, pick one rooster instead of shooting into the flock, and always confirm you're targeting a rooster by looking for the long tail feathers, colorful head, and white neck ring.
Gear and Strategy
For ammunition, #5 or #6 shot provides a good balance of pattern and knockdown power. Use an Improved Cylinder choke in your shotgun during the early season and switch to Modified or Full later, when birds flush farther out.
Durable, waterproof boots and brush-resistant pants are essential gear, since you'll likely cover miles each day. Layer your clothing to handle Montana's unpredictable fall weather.
Timing
Pheasants move from roosting cover to feed in the early morning, then return to feeding areas in the evening. Midday is the best time to hunt dense escape cover, especially in pressured areas.
Hunter Education Helps You Stay Safe When Montana Pheasant Hunting
Montana pheasant hunting blends the state's landscapes with the thrill of flushing elusive roosters under a beautiful sky. By knowing the season dates, following regulations, and applying proven tactics, you'll be ready for a safe and rewarding hunt in some of America's most majestic landscapes.
When preparing for pheasant season in Montana, remember that hunter education teaches you and those around you to hunt responsibly. If you're new to the uplands or simply looking to sharpen your skills, the Hunter-Ed course for Montana can help you prepare for many seasons to come. You'll learn hunting and safety essentials, including firearm safety and more.
Before the Montana pheasant hunting season takes flight, take the Montana hunter education course from Hunter-Ed!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to your questions about Montana pheasant season!
Q: Where is the best pheasant hunting in Montana?
A: Eastern and central Montana (especially around Lewistown, Choteau, and the Hi-Line) have the best pheasant hunting.
Q: What are Montana hunting season dates for pheasant
A: The general hunting season is October 11, 2025 – January 1, 2026. The youth weekend is September 27–28, 2025.
Q: Do you have to wear orange when pheasant hunting in Montana?
A: No, blaze orange is not required, but we strongly recommend wearing it for safety.
Q: What is the possession limit for pheasant in Montana?
A: The daily limit is 3 roosters. The possession limit is 9 roosters.
Q: Can I hunt in Montana as a non-resident?
A: Yes. Non-residents can buy an Upland Game Bird License to hunt pheasants in Montana.
Don't miss the Montana pheasant season. Take the Montana hunter education course from Hunter-Ed!
