Montana bear 2026

[Wireman07]

Hey everyone,

I have bear hunt planned starting May 15 around the Helena area. Ive been seeing posts that bear are already coming out as the winter was super mild out there. I believe the season starts April 15th. Im just looking for suggestions if i should keep my current dates the same, or if i should plan to head out earlier. Will they still start their rut cycle in May even if it gets hot out? Thanks

 

[Hunterscamera]

Will they still start their rut cycle in May even if it gets hot out? Thanks

Great question I wonder also

 

[graniteghost]

Curious to hear others comments, but I’d consider bumping it up a week or two. I would be more concerned about snow levels and green up than the rut. We got 40 inches of snow in the mountains near Helena and then had a week of temperatures over 60 degrees, so most of that is gone. However, at lot of roads to get to hunting areas will have snowdrifts late. This year I’d say around the first week ish of May should be good unless we get more unexpected snow storms

 

[FunkEyeMissed]

I’m betting on roughly April 25th- May 10th for some backpack hunting in SW Montana. If the current weather keeps up especially with some rain it should be plenty green by then.

 

[Soj51hopeful]

OP I would keep your dates you already have planned. May 15 is an excellent time to be out looking. You can second guess and overthink it, but what you have planned will work.

 

[suda0402]

It will be interesting to see how everything looks in 3 weeks. I was out 14 times last year and didn't see any bears until June. The prior year I saw bears every time I went out starting in early May. I'll going out the weekend before opening day to see it anything is moving around.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Keep the dates you have, trying to time it will just lead to frustration. Anytime mid May and on will be solid. You could bump it up a few weeks and it dump snow before you get there.