This guide covers Montana mountain lion regulations for resident houndsmen, nonresidents planning a one-time hunt, and multi-species hunters adding a lion tag to an elk or deer trip. It also covers the hardest part of the hunt, which is finding ground. Hunting Locator is a hunting companion and access marketplace, and this guide was written with planning and access in mind.
Inside:
- Season dates, bag limits, and quota rules at a glance.
- Exact license costs for residents and nonresidents, including the February 28 deadline.
- Where to hunt: public land, private leases, and guided options.
The snapshot below comes first, followed by the details.
Montana Mountain Lion Season Quick Overview
Montana’s 2026–27 mountain lion season runs in four segments, from early September archery through the April 14 close of the Winter hound season, all subject to quota closures.
Montana manages lions by Lion Management Unit (LMU) quotas, including female sub-quotas, and any season can close early once a quota is reached. The “Without Dogs” seasons and the hound season have different rules and license options, so keep them separate when you plan.
| Season | Dates | Method | Bag Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archery (Without Dogs) | Sept 3 – Oct 16 | Bow only, no dogs | 1 lion per license framework | Requires Bow and Arrow License; LMU closes at ~20% of quota |
| Fall (Without Dogs) | Oct 25 – Nov 30 | Rifle/bow, no dogs | 1 lion per license framework | LMU closes at ~20% of quota |
| Winter Season | Dec 1 – Apr 14 | Hounds legal | 1 lion per license framework | Only season where hounds may be used to hunt; quota closures apply |
| Resident Hound Training | Dec 2 – Apr 14 | Pursuit only, no kill on training license | None (no harvest) | Residents only; training license alone does not allow a kill |
Dates and quota status can change. Verify with Montana FWP mountain lion regulations before every hunt.
Before you head out, you need:
- Conservation License (prerequisite).
- Base Hunting License (prerequisite).
- Mountain Lion License: $19 for residents and $320 for nonresidents, with a purchase deadline of February 28.
- Bow and Arrow License: $10, required for archery hunting.
- Education: FWP requires hunter education for license eligibility, and apprentice hunters cannot buy mountain lion licenses.
- Reporting and inspection: Report a harvest within 12 hours, and present the hide and skull for inspection within 10 days.
If you’re new to hunting Montana, start with the complete Montana hunting guide. If you already need somewhere to hunt, Montana hunting leases are worth browsing early, before the best ground is taken.
Montana Mountain Lion Hunting Seasons
Montana splits lion hunting into two no-dog seasons in fall and a winter hound season, plus a resident-only hound training window.
Quotas govern every season. During the no-dog seasons, a General license is valid in any open LMU, and harvest counts against male, female, and sub-quotas. An LMU closes at the number nearest 20% of its quota. A popular unit can close fast, so verify quota status with FWP before every hunt and again the morning you go.
Archery Season (Without Dogs): September 3 – October 16
This is a bow-only, no-dog season. You need the $10 Bow and Arrow License on top of your Conservation, Base, and Mountain Lion licenses. As of publication, the season is in its final days.
The window overlaps archery elk and deer, so many hunters carry a lion tag as an add-on. For that kind of trip, see the guides to Montana elk hunting season and Montana deer hunting season.
Without dogs, glassing and predator calling are the realistic tactics, both covered in the tips section below. Nonresidents can use the Restricted OTC license during this season.
Fall Season (Without Dogs): October 25 – November 30
Firearms are allowed in this season, and dogs are not. It coincides with general rifle big game, which makes it a natural fit for combo trips. If you’re planning a fall elk hunt, a lion tag costs little to carry. Check rifle deer season dates too, since the overlap affects lodging and trailhead crowds.
Popular units can close quickly at the ~20% threshold, so check quota status daily.
Winter Season (Hounds): December 1 – April 14
Hound hunting is legal only in this season, and only in open LMUs. It is the core season for the resident houndsman. Fresh tracking snow makes it work, because it lets you age tracks and decide whether a line is worth running.
Evaluate a treed lion before you shoot. Pass on females and on lions with kittens, and respect the female sub-quotas.
Houndsmen often run cats in the same window, so see the Montana bobcat hunting season guide as well.
Nonresidents need a Limited or Unlimited license to hunt with hounds; a Restricted license does not allow it. Check FWP, because additional nonresident hound or trophy fees may apply.
Resident Hound Training Season: December 2 – April 14
This season is for residents only and allows pursuit and training of dogs. A resident may not kill a lion with only a Resident Hound Training License. To harvest, you must hold a valid Mountain Lion License.
The training license also covers other species FWP lists, including bobcat and spring black bear. See the Montana black bear hunting season guide for more.
Montana Mountain Lion Licenses and Permits
A Montana resident pays $37 and a nonresident pays $380 for the full license stack, plus $10 for a Bow and Arrow License if hunting archery.
The licenses build in layers: Conservation first, then Base, then the species tag, then Bow if you’re shooting archery. Resident math for an adult aged 18–62 is $8 + $10 + $19 = $37.
Montana Hunting Licenses
| License | Resident | Nonresident | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation License | $8 (18–62); $4 (10–17, 62+) | $10 | Prerequisite; also grants access to lawfully accessible State Trust lands |
| Base Hunting License | $10 | $50 | Prerequisite |
| Mountain Lion License | $19 | $320.00 | Nonresident: Restricted / Unlimited / Limited; buy by Feb 28 |
| Bow and Arrow License | $10.00 | $10.00 | Required for archery season |
| Total (rifle/hound) | $37 ($33 youth/senior) | $380 | Before Bow license |
| Total (with archery) | $47 ($43 youth/senior) | $390 |
Apprentice hunters can’t buy mountain lion licenses. Fees can change, so confirm the amount with FWP at purchase. Nonresidents should also check FWP for any added hound or trophy fees, which are separate from the license stack above.
Montana Hunting Permits
Nonresidents choose among three mountain lion license types, and each controls where and how you can hunt:
- Restricted OTC (nonresident): Valid only in the archery and fall seasons, without dogs.
- Limited: A drawing license. Nonresidents are capped at 10% of Limited licenses, and the drawing application deadline is typically August 1.
- Unlimited: Valid in its designated units. Unsuccessful Limited applicants can buy a Restricted license but not an Unlimited one.
- Purchase deadline: February 28 for the season’s licenses.
- Where to buy: Any license provider, any FWP office, or online.
Quantities vary by LMU quota, so check FWP for current numbers before you plan.
Montana Mountain Lion: Where to Hunt
Montana lions are hunted across national forests, BLM land, State Trust land, and private ground, and access often decides success more than tactics do.
Winter trailheads fill up, and tracking snow gets cut up before you start. Planning access early is the main way to avoid that.
Best Public Lands
Western Montana’s timbered country holds the bulk of the state’s lion habitat. These public lands are a good place to start:
- Bitterroot National Forest
- Lolo National Forest
- Kootenai National Forest in northwest Montana
- BLM land
- State Trust lands, accessible with a Conservation License where lawfully accessible
- Wildlife Management Areas, where you should check seasonal closures
A few caveats apply. National Parks are closed to hunting. Fishing Access Sites may have no-hunting safety zones and weapon restrictions. Landowner permission is required on all private land, whether or not it’s posted.
Public ground gets pressure in winter, which is where private Montana hunting leases come in.
Private Land Hunting with Hunting Locator
Private ground offers lower pressure, tracking snow that other houndsmen haven’t cut up, and predictable access.
Leasing. Landowners typically expect respect for property and gates, clear communication, and responsible dog handling, including retrieving your hounds. Some leases bundle elk, deer, and predator opportunities, which suits anyone hunting more than one species.
Buying. Owning land in Montana gives you year-round control for scouting and trail cameras, and it’s a long-term asset. Leasing means lower commitment and more flexibility. Which fits depends on how often you hunt Montana and how long you plan to keep doing it.
Hunting Locator connects hunters directly with Montana landowners who lease or sell hunting land. You can search by state and game and contact owners directly.
Browse Montana leases and land for sale to find ground that fits your hunt.
Guided Hunts
For many nonresidents, a guided hound hunt is the practical route, since it supplies the two things they lack: dogs and local knowledge. The table compares guided and DIY hunts:
| Factor | Guided | DIY |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher (outfitter fee + licenses) | Licenses, travel, gear |
| Success factors | Outfitter’s dogs, units, local knowledge | Your scouting, snow, access |
| Hounds | Provided | Need your own (Winter Season only) |
| Nonresident hound rules | Hunting with a licensed outfitter can change hound license requirements; confirm with FWP | Check FWP for nonresident hound licensing/fees |
| Logistics | Lodging/transport often handled | You plan everything |
Before you book, ask any outfitter these questions:
- Which LMUs do you hunt, and how do you handle quota closures?
- Are you licensed in Montana?
- What is included in the hunt package?
- How many hunters share each guide and dog pack?
- What are your expectations for physical fitness?
- How do you handle reporting and inspection after a harvest?
Start your search on the Hunting Locator homepage, or look at leases in Montana if you’d rather build your own hunt.
Mountain Lion Hunting Tips
Lion hunting success in Montana depends mostly on snow, quota awareness, and patience.
The Hunting Locator store carries gear for this species, from optics to cold-weather layers. The tips that matter most:
- Hunt fresh tracking snow: Fresh snow lets you age tracks quickly and decide whether a line is worth following.
- Check quotas before every outing: Make it a daily FWP check, because units can close with little warning.
- Glass and call during the no-dog seasons: Predator calling setups can pull a cougar into range. The store carries calls for the job.
- Stack your archery tags: Carry a lion tag during elk and deer hunts. It costs little and gives you a shot at a bonus opportunity.
- Carry wolf and bobcat tags: If you’re in the woods anyway, carry a wolf license while lion hunting and consider a bobcat tag too.
- Layer for cold weather: Winter lion country is harsh. The store carries layered apparel built for it.
- Invest in quality optics: Good binoculars and rangefinders pay off in open terrain. Check the store for options.
- Use GPS collars for hounds: Tracking collars protect your dogs and save hours. The store carries them, and dog safety should come first.
Respect female sub-quotas, and if you can’t tell the sex of a lion, pass.
When you fill a tag:
- Report your harvest to FWP within 12 hours.
- Keep the hide and skull intact and handle them as FWP directs.
- Present the hide and skull for mandatory inspection and tagging within 10 days.
- Keep your license and documentation with the animal.
More Resources from Hunting Locator
These Hunting Locator guides are organized by what you’re hunting.
Montana planning hub and lion guide
- Montana hunting guide: A starting point for Montana seasons, licenses, and access.
- Montana mountain lion hunting season: The evergreen companion to this year-specific 2026 plan.
Predator and furbearer guides
- Bobcat: Pairs naturally with winter hound hunting.
- Wolf: Another predator tag worth carrying in lion country.
- Black bear: Includes spring seasons that share the hound training window.
Plan your other Montana hunts
- Big game: Elk, Deer, and Antelope.
- Once-in-a-lifetime species: Bighorn sheep, Moose, Mountain goat, and Bison.
- Upland and waterfowl: Game birds, Turkey, and Waterfowl.
FAQ
Can nonresidents hunt mountain lions with hounds in Montana?
Yes, but only during the Winter Season and only with a Limited or Unlimited license. The Restricted license does not allow dogs. Additional hound fees may apply for nonresidents, so check with Montana FWP before you buy.
How much does a nonresident mountain lion hunt cost in licenses?
The nonresident license stack comes to $380: $10 for the Conservation License, $50 for the Base Hunting License, and $320 for the Mountain Lion License. Add $10 for archery. Guide and outfitter fees are separate.
What happens if my unit closes because of its quota?
Hunting in that LMU ends immediately. During the no-dog seasons, a unit closes when harvest reaches the number nearest 20% of its quota. Check quota status with Montana FWP daily, and again on the morning of your hunt.
Can I kill a lion with a Resident Hound Training License?
No. A resident may not kill a mountain lion with only a Resident Hound Training License. To harvest a lion, you must hold a valid Mountain Lion License. The training license covers pursuit and dog training only.
How do I report a harvested mountain lion?
Report your harvest to Montana FWP within 12 hours, typically through the FWP reporting line. Then present the hide and skull for mandatory inspection and tagging within 10 days of the harvest.
Do I need permission to hunt lions on private land in Montana?
Yes, always, whether or not the land is posted. Hunters must have permission from the landowner, lessee, or their agent. If you need legal access, Montana hunting leases are a good place to start.
Can apprentice hunters buy a mountain lion license?
No. Apprentice hunters cannot buy mountain lion licenses in Montana. They also can’t buy black bear or wolf licenses. Complete hunter education to become eligible.
If I don’t draw a Limited license, what are my options?
You can buy a Restricted OTC license, which is valid in the archery and fall seasons without dogs. You cannot buy an Unlimited license after an unsuccessful Limited application. The drawing application deadline is typically August 1.
The Final Shot
Montana offers two no-dog fall seasons, a long winter hound season, and some of the best timbered country in the Rockies. The 2026 season comes down to a few habits: know the four seasons, stack your licenses correctly, check quotas every day, and report your harvest on time.
Your game plan:
- Buy your licenses before February 28.
- Check quotas daily with Montana FWP.
- Line up your access before the snow flies.
Montana FWP has the final word on dates and quotas, so confirm before you go.
To find ground and gear up, search Montana leases and land on Hunting Locator to secure access, then visit the store for season gear.
