Pheasant hunting season to open October 10

As a reminder, nonresident upland game bird hunters using private lands enrolled in Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunting access programs – including block management – or hunting on public lands may not begin hunting until Oct. 20, which is 10 days later than resident upland bird hunters, for all upland species except mountain grouse (blue, spruce [Franklin] and ruffed grouse).    

This fall, FWP will release more than 15,000 birds on suitable sites. FWP released birds at several sites prior to the youth pheasant and waterfowl weekend. This week, FWP will release more than 3,500 pheasants at sites across the state.  

This is the sixth year of the annual pheasant release program, which the Legislature authorized in 2021. During its August meeting this year, the Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the releases of pheasants on public lands that contain suitable release sites from 2026 to 2028.  

The purpose of the pheasant release program is to give new hunters an opportunity to experience hunting success, encouraging their future participation in conservation around the state. In Montana, like other states, fish and wildlife conservation is funded primarily through license dollars. Hunting and fishing are active ways to support wildlife management, habitat protection and conservation efforts.   

To see a map and a list of the release sites, go to Roosters for Recruitment webpage. For more information on hunting pheasants and other upland game birds, go to regulations/upland-game-bird. To read the upland game bird forecast, click here. As hunters head into the field, they should keep bear safety in mind and remember the potential for fire danger.