Spring turkey, bear seasons open Saturday
A spring gobbler struts in a field outside of Libby recently. Saturday is the first day for hunting male turkeys and black bears in Montana. (Paul Sievers/The Western News)
The spring black bear hunting season starts April 15.
Here are some reminders for the 2023 season:
There is a 48-hour reporting requirement for all black bear harvests.
The mandatory inspection of black bear harvests in Region 1 changed in 2022. See page 10 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
It is lawful to use hounds to train and/or hunt for spring black bears in some areas. See page 4 of the black bear hunting regulations for more information.
Hunting and fishing licenses are now accessible through a secure and convenient mobile app. The Montana MyFWP app provides a digital wallet to store and display licenses and digital carcass tags, known as E-Tags, that can validate your harvest in the field. See fwp.mt.gov/myfwpapp.
It's important to know the difference between grizzly bears and black bears. Black bear hunters in Montana are required to pass the Bear Identification test to obtain a black bear license.
Montana's Bear Identification Program is intended to prevent the killing of grizzly bears as a result of mistaken identity by hunters.
For more information on black bear hunting, go to fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/black-bear.
Montana’s spring male turkey season also opens April 15. Turkey hunters can purchase a turkey license for a general area at FWP offices, license providers or online.
The 2023 turkey regulations are included in the 2023 Upland Game Bird Regulations Booklet. Regulations are available at FWP offices, license providers and online at fwp.mt.gov.
When transporting a spring turkey in the state on Montana, hunters must keep one leg and foot naturally attached for evidence of sex. Montana law requires landowner permission for hunting on all private land.
All Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program enrollments are currently closed and only open during the fall hunting season. Similarly, most Block Management Areas are also closed, but some open for spring turkey and spring bear opportunities.
No shed hunting, hiking or other recreational activities are allowed on these properties without landowner permission. Be sure to check the FWP website for the dates and locations these properties open. Visit fwp.mt.gov/hunt/access/blockmanagement for more information.