Montana hunting
Public hunting land in Montana
Caliber maps 129 public hunting areas in Montana, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's license fees, hunter education rules and official links in one place. Find the closest land to you on a list or a map, free.
Montana · 129 areas
Miles City Field Office
BLM land · 2,757,952 acres
Flathead National Forest
National forest · 2,414,171 acres
Lolo National Forest
National forest · 2,301,792 acres
Beaverhead National Forest
National forest · 2,137,454 acres
Lewis & Clark National Forest
National forest · 1,873,439 acres
Largest areas shown. Caliber sorts all 129 by distance from you.
- 82
- State wildlife areas
- 18
- National forests
- 1
- National grasslands
- 10
- BLM land
- 18
- National wildlife refuges
Montana hunting licenses and rules
- Wildlife agency
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Phone
- (406) 444-2535
- Resident license
- $10 Base Hunting License + $8 Conservation License required; Upland Game Bird license $10 (ages 18-61)
- Nonresident license
- $50 Base Hunting License + $10 Conservation License required; Upland Game Bird $127; big game extra
- Hunter education
- Required for anyone born after Jan 1, 1985; out-of-state certificates accepted; apprentice hunter program for ages 10+.
- Good to know
- An Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass must also be bought separately; on Block Management Areas sign in at the BMA box.
Fees and rules as published by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, checked Oct 31, 2026. They change, so confirm on the agency's site. This isn't legal advice.
Official links
Practicing for hunter ed?
Caliber has unofficial hunter education practice questions with explanations.
Try sample questions →Largest public hunting areas in Montana
The 12 biggest of 129 areas. Caliber has every one, with a map, and sorts them by distance from you.
| Area | Type | Acres | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miles City Field Office | BLM land | 2,757,952 | Open |
| Flathead National Forest | National forest | 2,414,171 | Open |
| Lolo National Forest | National forest | 2,301,792 | Open |
| Beaverhead National Forest | National forest | 2,137,454 | Open |
| Lewis & Clark National Forest | National forest | 1,873,439 | Open |
| Gallatin National Forest | National forest | 1,850,413 | Open |
| Kootenai National Forest | National forest | 1,763,657 | Open |
| Deerlodge National Forest | National forest | 1,228,464 | Open |
| Bitterroot National Forest | National forest | 1,127,101 | Open |
| Custer National Forest | National forest | 1,115,754 | Open |
| Malta Field Office | BLM land | 1,029,455 | Open |
| Glasgow Field Office | BLM land | 1,013,226 | Open |
State wildlife areas · 82
Run for wildlife and, usually, hunting. Many need a state license plus a land-use permit or have their own season dates, draw hunts or weapon limits.
National forests · 18
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws, except near developed sites and where posted. Some areas close for fire or wildlife.
National grasslands · 1
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. Grasslands are often mixed with private land, so know the boundaries.
BLM land · 10
Hunting is generally allowed under state hunting laws. BLM land is often scattered between private parcels, so legal access can be the hard part.
National wildlife refuges · 18
Refuges allow hunting only where and when each refuge opens it, often with its own permit and rules. Check the refuge's hunt page before you go.
Montana hunting FAQ
Where can I find public hunting land in Montana?
Caliber lists 129 public hunting areas in Montana: 82 state wildlife areas, 18 national forests, 1 national grasslands, 10 blm land, 18 national wildlife refuges. Open Caliber, enter your ZIP and see the closest areas on a list or a map. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also publishes its own public hunting land information on its website.
How much is a hunting license in Montana?
As published by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (checked Oct 31, 2026): resident, $10 Base Hunting License + $8 Conservation License required; Upland Game Bird license $10 (ages 18-61); nonresident, $50 Base Hunting License + $10 Conservation License required; Upland Game Bird $127; big game extra. Fees change, so confirm on the agency's licensing page before you buy.
Do I need hunter education to hunt in Montana?
Required for anyone born after Jan 1, 1985; out-of-state certificates accepted; apprentice hunter program for ages 10+. Check Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks for exemptions and current rules.
When is hunting season in Montana?
Seasons vary by species, zone and year, so Caliber links to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's official season-date page instead of listing dates. Always check current regulations before you hunt.
Find Montana hunting land near you
All 129 Montana areas on a list or a map, sorted by distance, plus a free bullet drop calculator and DOPE book. Free on iPhone.
Free download · Optional Caliber Pro upgrade · iPhone and iPad
Public hunting land in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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Area data: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1, public domain. Access as recorded in PAD-US. Always check current regulations, seasons and access rules with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the managing agency before you hunt.
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