Hunting in Montana: 5 Animals To Hunt in the Spring

Montana has a diverse range of wildlife open to hunting during the spring season. While public hunting land is plentiful in Montana, the unpredictable weather during the spring season can make an outdoor adventure difficult.

Here are five animals you can hunt legally during spring in Montana, regardless of the weather, according to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).

ALERT: Should Obama Have More Control Over Guns? Vote Now

1. Beaver
Beaver season opens in some districts in Montana in mid-April and late May in others. The beaver is the largest rodent on land in North America, and can be clumsy when out of the water. They make for an easier target for hunters, if you’re lucky enough to spot one. Beavers can be arduous to track, as they typically live near dense brush.

2. Black Bear
Spring black bear season starts in mid-April and runs until either May or June, depending upon the district. The FWP requires all hunters to apply for a bear hunting license, which requires hunters to pass a test proving that they’re able to properly discern the differences between black bears and grizzly bears. Black bears mostly congregate in the westernmost regions of the state, in dense forests, and dry mountain meadows during early spring.

VOTE NOW: Is Montana Gov. Steve Bullock Doing a Good Job?

3. Mountain Lion
These predatory animals can be very dangerous, as their prey can vary in size from grasshoppers to full grown moose, according to the FWP. Their season starts in the winter and extends into April. Distributed throughout the western regions of Montana, mountain lions are known to reside mostly in mountains and foothills but will roam to any habitat with sufficient food sources.

4. Muskrats
Muskrats are evenly distributed throughout Montana, and typically populate wetland habitats. The FWP explains that muskrats often coexist closely with beavers and build  dome-shaped houses that can give them away to observant hunters. Their season starts in November and ends in April.

5. Swift Fox
Fox season begins in November and extends to the beginning of March. Listed as a species of concern by the Montana FWP, their population totals are very low. At one point, their presence in Montana was non-existent.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

URGENT: Do You Support Obama's Plans for Stricter Gun Control? Vote Now

Related Articles:

• 5 Facts About Montana's Capital: How Well Do You Know Helena?
• Top 5 industries in Montana: Which Parts of the Economy Are Strongest?