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Montana Legal Hunting Hours (2026)

Info: In Montana, big game hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

InfoVerified Jun 18, 2026

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Official source: fwp.mt.gov →

Montana legal hunting hours by date

The rule above (big game): 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.

Legal hunting hours for Helena, Montana
Helena	Start (MDT)	End (MDT)
Sat, Oct 17	7:19 AM	7:07 PM
Sun, Oct 18	7:21 AM	7:05 PM
Mon, Oct 19	7:22 AM	7:03 PM
Tue, Oct 20	7:23 AM	7:02 PM
Wed, Oct 21	7:25 AM	7:00 PM
Thu, Oct 22	7:26 AM	6:58 PM
Fri, Oct 23	7:28 AM	6:56 PM
Sat, Oct 24	7:29 AM	6:55 PM
Sun, Oct 25	7:31 AM	6:53 PM
Mon, Oct 26	7:32 AM	6:51 PM
Tue, Oct 27	7:33 AM	6:50 PM
Wed, Oct 28	7:35 AM	6:48 PM
Thu, Oct 29	7:36 AM	6:47 PM
Fri, Oct 30	7:38 AM	6:45 PM

Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Helena. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Montana

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Montana

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IdahoInfo
In Idaho, big game animals may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov · Full Idaho rule →
North DakotaInfo
In North Dakota, big game hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except as otherwise noted; some seasons open at noon.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: gf.nd.gov · Full North Dakota rule →
South DakotaInfo
In South Dakota, big game hunting hours — archery and firearm — are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and turkey hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: gfp.sd.gov · Full South Dakota rule →
WyomingInfo
In Wyoming, big game, trophy game and small game may be taken from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and upland birds and wild turkey from 30 min before sunrise to sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov · Full Wyoming rule →

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