Available Montana Bison Hunts --- Search HF Aventures
Montana’s non-resident bison hunts allow hunters the chance to harvest a bison as they migrate out of Yellowstone National Park. With cold weather and heavy snow, the herd of around 4,800 animals will move into the hunting districts along the northern boundary of the park in search of lower elevation and better access to forage. When this happens, hunters will have good success on their hunts. On the other hand, with a combination of mild weather and a lack of good snowfall, the herd will stay within the park’s boundaries for the entire hunting season. This was the case for the 2023-2024 season, and the number of bison harvested between the two migration hunts was low. While no bison were harvested in district 385, 13 bison were taken by state hunters in 395. In an effort to help keep Yellowstone’s bison population in check after the low harvest total, 116 bison were moved to the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in early February.
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Montana has two bison migration hunts. Unit 385-20 is on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park near the town of Gardiner, and unit 395-20 is located on the western side of Yellowstone National Park near the town of West Yellowstone. Season dates for these hunts will be November 15, 2024-February 15, 2025, and 40 tags are typically issued for each hunt. Keep in mind that there will be a lot of Native American tribes from across several of the western states that have traditional hunting rights and will be hunting if bison are coming out of the park.
The other bison hunt is unit 385-21 and is valid only in the Absaroka Beartooth portion of unit 385. Season dates will be September 15-November 14. The bison population is very small, and with a hunt quota of only five, it is not available to nonresidents. This is a very remote wilderness backcountry hunt and is loaded with grizzlies. Pack animals are a must if you harvest on this hunt. There were two bison taken here in 2023.
There is no point system for Montana bison, so your odds are the same as all other applicants. Even so, at less than 1%, draw odds are still long. Either way, if you want to hunt free-range, Boone and Crockett eligible bison in Montana, you need to spend $50 and get your name in the draw. Just keep in mind that these hunts are not for everybody. Be prepared to cross your fingers for a strong winter and to spend a lot of time in the field notch your tag on a Montana bison.
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The Montana Bison application deadline is May 1, 2024.
Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions, other tag opportunities, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!
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Up-Front Fees |
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| Base Hunting License | $15 |
| Conservation License | $10 |
| Bonus Point (optional/per species) | $20 |
| Bison Application Fee | $50 |
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| Bison Permit | $1,250 |
| Bow and Arrow License (required for all archery hunts) | $10 |
| *Fees do not include the additional 2.5% convenience fee. | |
MT Bison Hunting Articles from Huntin' Fool Magazine
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