Montana Fish Report

Hunting is for the birds
Duck, goose, pheasant, quail, grouse and chukar to be specific. For even spur-of-the-moment trips, a little pre-planning can pay big dividends. A quick look at the game bird hunting forecast, recent harvest statistics and hunting access map can help set you up for success. You’ll find links to these and other resources on the Game Bird Hunting landing page.

Take a friend hunting – Chance win a statewide deer tag or other great prizes
Take someone who is new to the sport out hunting—or even someone who hasn’t hunted in awhile! Then enter to win some great prizes including the grand prize of a statewide deer tag for 2020. Learn all the details.

Wish for rain and fish for trout
Many salmon and steelhead anglers are waiting for a bit more rain to put fish on the move. In the meantime, trout anglers have been enjoying some great fall fishing in waterbodies throughout the state. So, check out the zone reports for this weekend’s best bets, and keep an eye to the sky with fingers crossed.

If you didn’t apply for a tag, don’t miss getting a point saver
Point savers for deer, elk and pronghorn hunts can be purchased through Nov. 30.

Give us a wing and a tail - Map of collection barrels for grouse and quail now available
If you bag a bird, don’t forget to give us a wing and a tail for any forest grouse or mountain quail you harvest! Use paper bags in the bright blue collection barrels placed at major road junctions or highways in hunting areas and at some ODFW offices and popular rural markets. Mark your harvest date plus county and general location where you hunted.

Here are maps of collection barrels in the NW, SW, Columbia, and NE areas.