Montana’s bobcat season — already active for more than two months — is tightening as harvest quotas are met and trapping districts begin shutting down for the winter/spring season.
Under current 2025–26 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) regulations, bobcat seasons opened December 1, 2025 across the state. For Trapping Districts 1, 2 and 3, the scheduled season runs through February 15, 2026, while in Districts 4, 5, 6 and 7 the season is set to run through March 1, 2026 — unless harvest quotas are met earlier.
However, several districts have already met or exceeded their quotas:
- Trapping District 3: Winter — CLOSED
Quota: 150 • Harvest: 163
Status: Closed as of Jan. 15, 2026 - Trapping District 4: Winter — PENDING OVERALL CLOSURE
Quota: 100 • Harvest: 106
Status: Pending closure effective Feb. 11, 2026 - Trapping District 5: Winter — CLOSED
Quota: 50 • Harvest: 56
Status: Closed as of Dec. 31, 2025
Region 4’s closure order takes effect Wednesday, Feb. 11 at midnight, with FWP’s commission stopping both hunting and trapping due to the quota being reached.
What’s still open?
At this point, districts that have not yet reached their quotas — such as Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 — technically remain open under regulation, subject to rapid closure once quotas are met or the official season end date arrives. For example:
- Districts 1 & 2: Season scheduled through Feb. 15 with quotas that have not yet prompted closure.
- Districts 6 & 7: Scheduled through Mar. 1 (District 6 has a smaller quota of 25 and District 7 a larger quota of 600), both still open until quota status or season dates change.
Hunters and trappers should continue to monitor current quota status on the FWP website or hotline, as closures can occur with as little as 48 hours notice once quotas are reached.
With strong participation this winter and quotas driving early closures in some areas, this season’s bobcat harvest management is shaping up to be one of the more dynamic in recent memory.
Stay tuned to Hunterizer for more bobcat season updates as quotas continue to be reported by FWP.
