Scenic hunting

Western Missoula is an excellent area for game like deer and elk as well as fowl. The views aren't too bad, either.

Hunting

Western Montana is treasured hunting ground for both big game and fowl.

Treks into the wilderness for deer and elk are particularly popular, with more exotic wild game a lure for others.

If your interests are more of the skyward variety, there are ample opportunities to hunt pheasants, ducks, geese, and grouse in the area.

Outsiders will be pleasantly surprised at the length of Montana’s hunting seasons for various types of game. Check out the National Wildlife Federation’s Hunting Resource for more information. Year-round, outfitter and guide information is readily available, but be sure to book your trip early because they fill up fast.

Don’t Underestimate Fishing in Winter in Montana

By BRYCE MCLEAN - People often underestimate winter fishing in Montana.... more

Skwalla Stonefly Season Countdown, Part One

By MATT DEVLIN AND BRYCE MCLEAN - It's almost Skwalla Stonefly season! ... more

Elk Hunting in Montana: A Bit of History

By BRUCE AUCHLY - Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now roughly... more

River to Table: A “Blast and Cast” Trout and Duck Harvest

By BRYCE MCLEAN and MATT DEVLIN - As big game season comes to an end, we find ourselves looking for other ways to spend our weekends. Fortunately, fishing season lives on and duck season still has two months to... more

How to Lose a Staring Contest with an Elk

By PAUL QUENEAU - Montana’s rifle hunting season is over, my freezer sits empty, but I’m more grateful than ever for this place that I live.... more

Hunting for Clarity on Thanksgiving Break

By CLAY SPRINGMEYER - Whether you're in Missoula or not, if you live or have ever lived in Montana, count yourself lucky. 20 years of Big Sky Country have taught me to be thankful.... more

Paul Queneau Showcases Missoula’s Stunning Fall Foliage

Paul Queneau sent us so many gorgeous fall color photos for his post, Missoula's Fall Colors: The Best Ever?, that we couldn't resist putting them all in one big gallery for you to enjoy.... more

Montana’s 2011 Elk Season Outlook

Montana's general elk season is Oct. 22 – Nov. 27 and Montana’s elk hunters should experience some good hunting this year, especially in parts of western and central Montana.... more

Avoid Common Violations by Remembering These Montana Hunting Regulations

BY MFWP. Before heading to the field for Montana’s big game season opener on Saturday, Oct. 22, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials ask that hunters avoid common violations by remembering these tips:... more

Missoula’s Bucks are Ready to Rumble

By PAUL QUENEAU A tension is mounting around Missoula. Look any direction from town and you may likely see gangs of mule and whitetail deer bucks growing increasingly at odds. Turbulent. Agitated. A month... more

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

When you’re in Western Montana, you’re in elk country.  And what better place than Missoula to be home to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. More than a museum, the Elk Foundation’s Visitor Center fea... more

Mother Nature to the Rescue

By ‘CAPTAIN CATCHEM’ Mark Ward. Big game hunters dream of perfect weather conditions. And those weather conditions went from dream to reality as snow and biting cold weather blasted most of Montana during t... more

Confessions of a Desert Diva

11/12 Blog by Verina Palmer Martin. I really hate to admit it, but I’m not the same Montana girl my daddy raised. More precisely, I’m not the tomboy he took camping, hunting, fishing and competitive trapsho... more

How to Get in Hunting Shape

10/26 Blog by 'Captain Catchem' Mark Ward. You have no idea how fast a herd of elk can explode in the opposite direction when they get a whiff of my liniment on the second day of the hunting season. As to askin... more

2011 Hunting Checklist

10/17 Blog by "Captain Catchem" Mark Ward. The opening day for the 2010 Montana deer and elk general rifle season is fast approaching on Saturday, October 23. Antelope season already started on October 9. If yo... more

No Place Like Missoula in the Fall

Blog by "Captain Catchem" Mark Ward. When someone from out-of-state thinks about Montana’s unique scenery,... more

Living with Wildlife

Residing in Western Montana means learning to live with wildlife. In Missoula, that often includes sharing your yard with birds, raccoons, skunks, deer, black bears, and even mountain lions. The Montana Depa... more

Take a Hike

The seemingly endless hiking and backpacking opportunities in and around Missoula offer thousands of miles of trails in wilderness areas, Forest Service lands, and BLM lands. Information on hiking in the bac... more