An upland bird license is required for anyone who wants to hunt upland game birds like pheasant, grouse, partridge, quail, and turkey in the state of Montana. The cost of an upland bird license varies depending on your residency status and age.
Resident Upland Bird Licenses
For Montana residents, here are the upland bird license options and prices:
Adult Upland Bird License (Resident)
For Montana residents ages 18-59, an adult upland bird license costs $20. This allows you to hunt all upland game birds in Montana for the season.
Youth Upland Bird License (Resident)
For Montana residents ages 12-17, a youth upland bird license costs $10. This allows a young hunter to pursue upland game birds in Montana for the season.
Senior Upland Bird License (Resident)
For Montana residents ages 60 and older, a senior upland bird license is $10. This allows an older hunter to hunt upland birds in the state for the season.
Sportsman’s License (Resident)
A Montana resident can also purchase a sportsman’s license for $60. This covers both fishing and upland bird hunting for the season. It includes tags for elk, deer, black bear, and mountain lion as well.
Nonresident Upland Bird Licenses
For nonresidents, the upland bird licenses and costs are:
Nonresident Upland Game Bird License
For any nonresident age 12 and up, the upland game bird license is $110. This allows the nonresident to hunt upland birds in Montana for the season.
Nonresident Youth Upland Game Bird License
For nonresidents ages 12-17, the youth upland game bird license is $75. This gives a nonresident youth hunter access to upland bird hunting for the season.
Two-Day Nonresident Upland Game Bird License
Nonresidents can also purchase a two-day upland game bird license for $75. This allows the hunter to pursue upland birds for two consecutive days.
Limits and Restrictions
Along with an upland game bird license, there are some other rules that hunters should be aware of:
- There are daily bag and possession limits for each species of upland bird.
- Hunters must follow regulations regarding the transportation and storage of harvested birds.
- There are specific season dates for hunting different upland bird species.
- Hunters must have the proper permits and stamps for hunting migratory birds like mourning doves.
- There are restrictions on the types of weapons and ammunition that can be used.
- Hunters must wear blaze orange or pink during certain upland bird seasons.
Ways to Purchase an Upland Bird License
Montana offers a few ways that hunters can purchase an upland bird license each season:
- Online through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website
- Over the phone by calling 1-800-385-6630
- In person at any Fish, Wildlife & Parks office
- At various license providers across the state
- At select sporting goods stores
When applying online or by phone, the upland bird license can be quickly processed and mailed out to the hunter if time allows before their hunt. For those who want it immediately, going in person to an approved license provider is recommended.
Apprentice Hunter Certificate
Montana also offers an Apprentice Hunter Certificate for anyone over 10 years old who has not previously held a hunting license. This allows new hunters to try upland game bird hunting while accompanied by a licensed adult mentor over 18 years old.
The Apprentice Hunter Certificate costs $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. It exempts the new hunter from needing an upland bird license during the apprenticeship, but their licensed mentor must be properly licensed.
Places to Hunt Upland Birds in Montana
With an upland bird license in hand, there are many excellent public lands and hunting areas to pursue upland birds across Montana:
- Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge – Fort Peck area
- Sun River Wildlife Management Area – Augusta
- Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area – Fairfield
- Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area – Seeley Lake
- Denis Mountain Wildlife Management Area – Denton
- Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area – Billings
- Missouri Headwaters State Park – Three Forks
- Lake Elmo State Park – Billings
- Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge – Stevensville
- Macon Flat Wildlife Management Area – Wolf Creek
These areas contain excellent habitat for pheasants, gray partridge, chuckar, grouse, quail, doves, and turkeys. Public land access provides plenty of areas to hunt upland game birds in Montana.
Upland Bird Identification
When upland bird hunting in Montana, proper identification of species is key. Here are some tips on identifying the major upland bird species:
Ring-Necked Pheasant
- Large, long-tailed gamebirds
- Males have a green head, red eye patches, purple/bronze body, and white neck ring
- Females are mottled brown and black with a light brown head
- Often seen running through grassy fields and brushy cover
Ruffed Grouse
- Rotund, chicken-like gamebird with short tail
- Coloration is brown, black, gray, and white
- Male has broad, fanned tail with wide black band near end (“ruff”)
- Often seen walking slowly through aspen and forest habitats
Gray Partridge
- Plump, ground-dwelling gamebirds with short tails
- Brown and tan coloration with gray and chestnut barring
- Orange legs and featherless orange patch around eyes
- Usually seen walking in small groups in open habitats
Chukar
- Rotund upland gamebirds with gray bodies and light brown/white wings
- Black and white facial stripes with black belly patch outlined in white
- Red legs and red, slightly curved bill
- Often heard making a repetitive, chuckling call
California Quail
- Plump, ground-dwelling gamebird with forward curling topknot
- Blue-gray body with tan speckling on wings and chest
- Male has black face outlined in white with brown cap
- Usually travel in large coveys and make loud, nasal call
Greater Sage-Grouse
- Large upland gamebird with grayish brown body and long pointed tail
- Black belly and throat with bold white breast patch
- Male has spiky yellow air sacs on chest during breeding season
- Found in open sagebrush habitats of eastern Montana
Sharp-tailed Grouse
- Medium-sized prairie grouse with lightly barred plumage
- White underside with brownish gray upperparts
- Pointed tails and yellow skin over eyes
- Males gather and dance on leks during breeding season
Wild Turkey
- Large, long-legged upland gamebird
- Iridescent dark bronze body with bare red and blue head
- Males (“toms”) are larger and have spurs on lower legs
- Make loud gobbling sounds and can run at fast speeds
Mourning Dove
- Small, slender upland gamebird with long pointed tail
- Light brownish gray with black spots on wings
- Throat and cheek patch is iridescent pinkish-purple
- Fast, darting flight with whistling wing beats
Safety Tips for Upland Bird Hunting
When pursuing upland birds in Montana, it is essential hunters follow safe practices including:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded
- Always control the muzzle direction and be aware of your target and surroundings
- Wear blaze orange or pink while moving between locations
- Don’t climb fences or obstacles with a loaded firearm – unload it first
- Only load your shotgun when you are in a legal hunting location
- Use a retrievable leash when hunting with dogs
- Stay quiet, move slowly, and scout the wind direction to not spook birds
Following ethical, safe hunting practices ensures an enjoyable experience for you and others in the field.
Conclusion
An upland bird license provides the opportunity to hunt various upland game species across the diverse habitats of Montana. Prices range from $10-$110 depending on your residency and age. There are ample public lands and resources to access upland bird hunting in Montana. Properly identifying species, knowing regulations, and following safe practices will lead to an outstanding experience pursuing upland birds.
