2026 Change for Non Residents in Montana

[Frontline Defense]

Good evening everyone. It's 1:45am and after a few hours of reading through the MT Wildlife Regulations, I could not find what I saw on another website. Any truth to this? I am booked Sept 13-18 and if this is true, opening day is Sept 5th so the hunt wouldn't be able to start till Sept 15th. I was going to call Monday, but if their wildlife folks are like here in NC, I will be transferred a 100 times and still not have an answer!

• Nonresident Restrictions: Starting in 2026, nonresidents hunting on public land and specific private lands in access programs will start hunting 10 days later than residents for most species.

 

[D_wit22]

Man that’s a good one! No way is that true. Fake news for sure

 

[Geewhiz]

I would love for that to be true but cannot confirm either way

 

[AHayes111]

I think that is for upland birds, and it might only be region 6. Not true for elk.

 

[GunnarS]

I believe thats only for upland game birds.

 

[AHayes111]

I would love for that to be true but cannot confirm either way

Not sure I would go for that. Stuffing all NR into the best part of the season would be tough to take.

 

[Maverick1]

This is absolutely true.

The elk and deer seasons for residents will open on 9/1.

The elk and deer seasons for non-residents will open on 9/10.

To maximize profit for the mighty state of Montana, and ensure maximum fleecing, non-residents can pay to start their season earlier than 9/10. The rate for 2026 will be $1000 per day. Any non-resident that purchases all ten days will receive an extra bonus point for the subsequent calendar year and a commemorative gold coin for paying the extra $10,000 to start their season on 9/1.

The new system goes into effect on 4/1.

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[Erict]

As found HERE: