seem average in comparison with ….

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.