Montana upland game bird hunters have a 10-day head start on nonresident hunters.
As a result of Senate Bill 514, passed during the 2025 legislative session, nonresident upland game bird hunters using private lands enrolled in FWP hunting access programs -- including block management -- or hunting on public lands may not begin hunting until 10 days later than resident upland bird hunters for all upland species except mountain grouse (blue, spruce [Franklin] and ruffed grouse).
See the 2026 upland bird regulations for dates nonresident hunters can begin hunting on private lands enrolled in hunting access programs and public lands.