Upland Game Bird Season Outlook In Montana

North-central Montana

Winter weather during 2024-2025 in north-central Montana varied widely throughout the region. Areas along the Rocky Mountain Front and the western Hi-Line experienced below average snowfall and average winter temps, with dry conditions continued into spring. Spring surveys showed pheasant crow counts above last year’s numbers in areas of good habitat, and below average crow counts in areas with poor habitat. Grey partridge fared well in 2024 in most of R4, and 2025 looks to be similar. Spring lek surveys showed sharp-tailed grouse numbers are higher than past years but are still below the historical average.

The eastern parts of Region 4 (Great Falls to Lewistown) experienced several strong winter storms during the winter of 2024-2025. These storms produced heavy snowfall and strong winds. Winter survival was a concern for the area, but spring surveys showed populations fared better than expected despite the severe winter conditions. Spring crow counts for pheasant in the eastern part of Region 4 were up from 2024 even in areas with marginal habitat. Sharptailed grouse lek surveys are still below the historical average but generally trended higher from 2024. Sage grouse counts showed similar numbers to the past two years. Spring brought average temperatures and precipitation which resulted in good habitat conditions, although some large hailstorms in this part of the region in early summer could have negative effects on brood survival in localized areas.

As we move into late summer, hay and other crops are being harvested, so brood sightings are more common. This year’s crop harvest seems to be slightly ahead of past years which could have some negative effects on nest success and brood survival. Recent summer rainfall should be beneficial to habitat conditions and brood survival. Habitat conditions should be good for the fall of 2025, and it will be important for hunters to identify the best overall habitat and focus their hunting efforts on those areas. Even with some July rains it’s important for hunters to remember fire is always a concern as we move into late summer early fall.

South-central Montana

Following two very good years for upland birds in south-central Montana, hunters can expect to have ample opportunity to hunt and harvest birds.

Sharp-tailed grouse are expected to be closer to average following last year. Hunters should expect spotty encounters in favorable habitat.

Gray partridge and chukar numbers are expected to be fair following high numbers of birds last season and a mild winter.

Similarly, pheasant numbers are expected to be fair in favorable habitat though areas were impacted by severe weather over the summer.

Turkey numbers seem to be good with many broods observed, though some areas may have been impacted by weather.

Intense summer hailstorms negatively impacted upland birds in the central and eastern portions of Region 5 this year. Timely precipitation events have helped to maintain upland bird cover across the majority of the region. Due to good cover conditions, summer observations have been limited.

Northeast Montana

A mild winter and good nesting conditions provided a good start for upland game birds this year. Drier conditions in early spring likely limited vegetation growth in the central and western portions of the region, but more recent mid and late summer rains may have helped improve both habitat and brood conditions.

Unlike the past few years, where bird numbers were substantially better in the eastern portion of the region, populations have come down, closer to average in most areas across the region. Bird hunters should have plenty of opportunity while spreading out across the region this fall. Overall, hunters are likely to get into birds anywhere in the region where they find good habitat.

Pheasant numbers across the region should provide good opportunities for hunters.

In the far eastern portion of Region 6, pheasant hunters should expect lower bird numbers from the previous years, but numbers did remain near average this spring.

Hunters should expect pheasant populations in the Glasgow and Malta area to be better than last year and come in around average or slightly above average.

In the Havre area, numbers have improved and will likely be about average.

Sharp-tailed grouse numbers should be fair across the region. However, populations are likely lower compared to recent years’ highs and are expected to be near average. This is most evident in the far northeast portion of the region.

In the Glasgow and Malta areas, sharp-tail numbers seem average in comparison with most years and should seem average in comparison with most years and should provide good hunting opportunities.

The western portions of Region 6 is likely to return to about average in areas with good habitat. However, portions of western Region 6 have seen significant loss of CRP habitats in the last decade, resulting in sharp-tailed grouse numbers unable to recover to previous levels.

Although populations of gray partridge are often spotty, there should be ample opportunity across the region for hunters pursuing this tasty game bird.

In the eastern portion of the region, observed and reported numbers have been lower than recent years but the population appears to still be doing well. The numbers of coveys encountered, however, is expected to be like last hunting season, which was generally above average.

Limited preferred habitat causes partridge populations to be relatively low in the central portion of the region near Glasgow and Malta. However, based on adjacent areas and summer weather conditions, expect partridge numbers to improve and be back to about average for the area.

Hunting in the Havre area is likely to be above average again this year. Total gray partridge harvest in the western half of the region has been steadily improving for the last several years, and conditions and field reports indicate it should likely continue to be above average this fall. Several years of severe drought from 2021-2023 took their toll on sage-grouse in Region 6, based on spring lek survey results. While drought conditions improved in 2024-2025, hunting for the species is likely to be below average. Habitat conditions are expected to better this fall than the past couple seasons due to late summer rains, which may cause sagegrouse to be more dispersed across the landscape.

Note: beginning this year, a free supplemental sage grouse hunting permit is required for harvesting sage grouse. These permits can be acquired online or at any FWP office or license provider.

Southeast Montana

Southeast Montana received high to moderate amounts of spring and late-summer rain, with amounts varying depending on the location. Due to adequate spring moisture, grass and forb growth was fair to good, which made for good nesting and brood-rearing conditions. Some locations in the region experienced storms that resulted in heavy rainfall and hail, which can negatively impact nesting upland game birds and their broods.

Many areas were inundated with grasshoppers once again, which provide an excellent food source for upland birds but can have a negative impact on available cover. Adult and young upland birds will primarily forage on grasshoppers until they are no longer available.

Sharp-tailed grouse male lek attendance this spring was well above average, indicating populations are doing well in eastern Montana. Good habitat conditions and a productive nesting season will have birds spread out on the landscape. With the conditions being so good, birds will be able to make a go of it just about anywhere and will not necessarily be in the typical places that hunters would find them during a normal year.