BirdHuntSharp-tailed Grouse
- Sep 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Sharp-tailed Grouse4 daily16 poss.
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Upland birds 2026-27
Montana upland hunting
Pheasant · Sharp-tailed grouse · Sage grouse · Ruffed grouse · Dusky (blue) grouse · Spruce grouse · Gray partridge · Chukar
Open now
4
Sharp-tailed Grouse, Mountain Grouse (ruffed, dusky, spruce), Hungarian & Chukar Partridge, Pheasant
Pheasant
3 a day
Opens Oct 10
Species
8
Pheasant, Sharp-tailed grouse, Sage grouse…
How nonresidents hunt upland birds in Montana
Nonresidents buy the conservation, base hunting and upland game bird licenses ($127), or a $60 3-day upland license, over the counter. On public land and Block Management or other access-program land, nonresidents start 10 days after residents for every species except mountain grouse (pheasant: Oct. 20). The 3-day license isn't valid for sage grouse or for pheasants opening week. Sage grouse need a free permit.
Pheasant Oct. 10, 2026 - Jan. 1, 2027 (youth Sept. 19-20); sharp-tailed grouse and partridge Sept. 1 - Jan. 1; mountain grouse Sept. 1 - Jan. 1; sage grouse Sept. 1-30.
Season calendar
SepOctNovDecJan
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sage Grouse
Mountain Grouse (ruffed, dusky, spruce)
Hungarian & Chukar Partridge
Youth Pheasant
Pheasant
Today
Seasons & bag limits
Sage Grouse
- Sep 1 – Sep 30, 2026
Sage Grouse2 daily4 poss.
Mountain Grouse (ruffed, dusky, spruce)
- Sep 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Mountain grouse (combined)3 daily12 poss.
Hungarian & Chukar Partridge
- Sep 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Partridge (combined)8 daily32 poss.
Youth Pheasant
- Sep 19 – Sep 20, 2026
Cock pheasants3 daily9 poss.
Pheasant
- Oct 10, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Cock pheasants3 daily9 poss.
What a nonresident needs to buy
Public land & walk-in access
Programs and the rules that apply to them. We don't publish specific spots.
Walk-in program
Block Management
Open to nonresidentsPrivate land enrolled for public hunting. Type 1 areas: sign in at the box and hunt. Type 2 areas: get permission from the landowner or FWP first (first come or by drawing). Rules differ by area; read the regional Block Management maps.
Maps and details · checked Sep 30, 2026 ·
