Hunters and trappers must call in their harvest of bobcat, otter, swift fox, fisher, and marten within 24 hours. Bobcat, otter, fisher, marten, and swift fox are required to be inspected and pelt-tagged within 10 days of the calendar close of the season at an FWP office.
These dates are provided only as a general reference. Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.
2024 SEASON
Trapping Districts 1, 2 & 3
Beaver: Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2024
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2024*
Trapping Districts 4, 5, 6 & 7
Beaver: Sept. 1 - May 31, 2024
Bobcat: Dec. 1 - Mar. 1, 2024*
Portion of Trapping District 6
Swift Fox: Nov. 1 - Jan. 15, 2024*
Fisher, Marten
Where open: Dec. 1 - Feb. 15, 2024*
Mink, Muskrat, Otter
Nov. 1 - Apr. 15, 2024*
* May close earlier when the quota is reached.
Licenses & Fees
General Trapper
Details: Available only to resident Conservation License holders 12 years of age or older. Must be purchased by November 30 each year to be valid for bobcat.
Fees:
Resident: $20
Nonresident: N/A
Landowner Trapper
Details: Available to landowner or member of their immediate family. Trapping restricted to lands owned or leased by the applicant. Must be purchased by November 30 each year to be valid for bobcat.
Fees:
Resident: $1
Nonresident: N/A
Nonresident Trapper
Details: Available only to nonresident conservation license holders 12 years of age or older, whose state of residence has nonresident trapper licenses available to Montana trappers. Valid for predatory animals, wolves, and nongame wildlife. Valid for bobcat and other furbearers based on state by state reciprocity.
Details: Available only to resident conservation license holders 6 through 11 years of age. Valid for mink and muskrat only.
Fees:
Resident: $0
Nonresident: N/A
Bobcat Hunting License Resident
Details: Available to resident conservation license holders 12 years of age or older. License must be purchased by Nov 30, 2023.
Resident: $20
Special Recreational Use License for Trapping
Details: Prior to trapping on state trust land, all persons 12 years old and older must first apply for and be issued a “Special Recreational Use License for Trapping” (SRULT) from DNRC.
Hunters and trappers must call in their harvest of bobcat, otter, swift fox, fisher, and marten within 24 hours. Bobcat, otter, fisher, marten, and swift fox are required to be inspected and pelt-tagged within 10 days of the calendar close of the season at an FWP office.
In trapping districts with quotas, the season will close with 48 hours notice upon reaching or approaching the trapping district quota, or on the season closure date, whichever occurs first.
Check current harvest info by calling 1-800-711-8727 or view online:
