When you go on a Montana hunting adventure trip or enjoy outdoor activities in the state, you’ll most likely encounter wildlife species and intact ecosystems, including 19 large mammals and nearly 100 small mammals. When you visit Glacier National Park, you’ll see mountain goats and elk, while other areas are home to bison, deer, and grizzly bears.
Montana, a state in the Western United States, features mountain ranges in the west and prairies in the east, with a diverse range of trees and native flowers. This region boasts a wide range of fauna, including diverse species of amphibians, fish, mammals, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. The state has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states and is home to several federally endangered species. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks manages hunting and fishing seasons for various game fish and animals, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Endangered species like grizzly bears and golden eagles can still be found in abundance in Central Montana. Glacier National Park is a haven for adventure seekers, with the highest concentration of grizzly bears in the US and various iconic wildlife, including mountain goats and moose. Montana's diverse and impressive terrains offer a magnificent setting for top-notch wildlife viewing in America - meaning it has a wider variety of wildlife than any other contiguous 48 states. Large predators like grizzly bears, lynx, and mountain lions wander the mountains and valleys, living alongside bighorn sheep and deer, as the wetlands in the state support many waterbirds. You can go on a Montana hunting trip with Latitudes Outfitting Co., enjoy outdoor activities, or simply choose to watch the wildlife in Montana—all are excellent options to discover animals and appreciate nature!
Black bears and grizzly bears are some of the wildlife you’ll encounter in the Rocky Mountains in Montana when you go out on a Montana hunting trip or explore outdoor activities. Although you can spot black bears in other wild areas of the state, the National Parks offer the finest and most secure locations for viewing them.
Late May to early June is the best time to observe bears, as you can frequently spot mother bears feeding with their cubs in meadows. In early September, bears also search for food to gain weight before the winter months.
The Avalanche Lake Trail and Iceberg Lake Trail are the two top locations in Glacier National Park for observing grizzly bears in the contiguous US. During May and June, hungry grizzly bears and their young offspring often visit the vast meadows surrounding these paths. Instructions: Choose between the Avalanche Lake Trail and Iceberg Lake Trail. Yellowstone National Park is another excellent spot to visit. It is inhabited by both black bears and grizzly bears, making it a common occurrence to see them. Nevertheless, the park's populations are spread out, making it hard to anticipate specific viewing chances.
You can find bighorn sheep across most of central Montana's mountainous areas. They are frequently one of the most visible types of wildlife because they typically pay little attention to spectators and are at ease strolling along roads and trails. In spite of their temperament, you must remember that these creatures are still untamed and should not be interacted with.
Just 45 minutes from Great Falls near Augusta, Gibson Reservoir is an excellent spot to find many bighorn sheep in winter. The Sun River Canyon herd is one of the largest in the United States, with a population close to 1,000. Sheep are frequently spotted near the Gibson Dam parking lot or strolling along the dirt roads in this area from January to April. This part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness falls in a snow shadow, resulting in minimal snow cover and easy access for most vehicles during winter. This is a great chance to see the beautiful scenery and observe or take photos of the animals up close from the comfort of a vehicle.
South of Great Falls on I-15 is another spot where you can see bighorn sheep. This is where Lewis and Clark initially encountered the species while traveling west. Good spots for watching are accessible by exiting I-15 at Hardy Creek and driving south on Old US 91.
Bison, commonly known as buffalo, roamed throughout downtown Great Falls and most of Central Montana. Today, they only live in a few areas that are protected. One is Yellowstone National Park, where bison are commonly seen. You’ll spot them in valleys throughout the entire region, easily visible from the road. Another one is Blackfeet National Bison Reserve, which is midway between Browning, MT, and East Glacier, MT. Here, the Blackfeet Nation has reintroduced a sizeable bison herd near the foothills of Glacier National Park. The bison can frequently be seen on Highway 2 en route to Glacier Park.
Central Montana's rivers provide winter homes for many golden and bald eagles. The presence of springs in the region stops numerous streams from icing over, enabling eagles to consume fish throughout most of the winter. They are also known to feed on dead animals found on the side of the road.
The Rocky Mountain Front Eagle Viewing Area in Central Montana witnessed the highest number of golden eagles ever recorded during spring migration—818 eagles were sighted in a single day. The yearly migration happens from late March to early May, reaching its highest point in mid-March. Observation usually starts at 9 am, with the day's highest point at 3 pm. To get to the Rocky Mountain Front Eagle Viewing Area, travel 12 miles North on I-15 from Great Falls. Exit at 290 and drive approximately 45 miles west on Montana Highway 200 toward Lincoln, MT. After passing the Highway 434 intersection, keep an eye out for a road sign using binoculars. An interpretive board is located at a pull-out on the road's northeast side.
Birdwatching along the Upper Missouri River corridor in Montana offers many chances to observe diverse bird species and appreciate the stunning scenery of Montana. Traveling in a southern direction on I-15 from Great Falls, tourists can use any of the Cascade exits (Exit 256 or Exit 254) or the Hardy Creek exit (Exit 247). Driving along Old US 91 (frontage road) in either direction from the I-15 exit offers the best views. Numerous public fishing spots with parking and restrooms are available along this road.
Central Montana is well-liked for elk hunting because of its abundant elk populations and wide public lands. If your main goal is to go on a Montana hunting trip for elk, many protected viewing areas guarantee success.
One of the top places to see elk is the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area. In September and October, a maximum of 500 elk can be spotted at the viewing location, offering fantastic wildlife viewing chances. The elk mating season usually climaxes in September's second and third weeks. During this period, guests can expect to hear male deer bugling and see them sparring. The optimal viewing times are the initial and final two hours of daylight.
Sun River Wildlife Management Area houses one of the biggest elk populations in Montana. Access to the Sun River Wildlife Management Area is restricted for visitors between December 1st and May 14th. Nevertheless, it is common to spot elk on the grasslands near Sun Canyon Road, adjacent to the Wildlife Management Area. Every year on May 15th, the Sun River Wildlife Management Area hosts a special elk shed event where visitors can gather and retain shed antlers. Make sure to come early, as most racks are taken by noon. Late May and early June are optimal for visiting the Sun River Wildlife Management Area since this is the time when it's at its best.
Mountain goats, incredibly skilled at scaling steep cliffs, are among the Rockies' most iconic species. They capture observers with their mesmerizing displays, and their bright white coats contrast with the jagged rock. Central Montana is home to some of the top mountain goat viewing spots globally.
One of the top spots to see mountain goats is Goat Lick, located close to Glacier National Park on Highway 2. It provides a unique chance to see mountain goats from April through late June. The minerals present in the soil attract many goats to the hillside next to the highway. During the morning and evening, you can observe the goats and their offspring moving around this region, particularly from the assigned viewing spot. The viewing area is clearly marked and includes restroom facilities.
Moose are commonly seen in the river valleys and lakes throughout Central Montana. In contrast to elk, which are commonly seen in groups, moose are usually solitary. Maintaining some distance is advisable; moose are well-known for being unwelcoming and prefer to be alone.
In Glacier National Park, moose are commonly spotted near Swiftcurrent Lake or Lake Josephine right after the sun comes up. Hiking to Grinnell Lake is a relatively simple trek through excellent moose territory.
While venturing into the wilderness, encountering wildlife in Montana is almost inevitable. You might not be ready for a meeting with a big animal like a bear or a moose. The final thing you should do is disturb those animals in their habitat and risk harming yourself. Encountering wild animals can be frightening, but there are essential tips you can follow to deal with such situations.
To prevent startling a bear or other dangerous animal while hiking, make sure to create noise along the trail. You can periodically yell, converse, or sing loudly with your hiking companions or clap your hands and bang your trekking poles together. Certain hikers wear bear bells despite their potential lack of effectiveness due to insufficient volume.
Leaving food and scented items unattended attracts animals. Store food in a cooler or car while RV camping, and use bear lockers at night. Use bear canisters, bags, or lockers in the backcountry, or hang scented items. Cook and wash dishes away from camp to avoid attracting wildlife.
Dispose of human waste correctly to prevent attracting animals, and show respect for wildlife by keeping a safe distance and refraining from feeding them.
Discover Montana's rich and varied wildlife with Latitudes Outfitting Co. leading the way. Our knowledge of Montana's wilderness guarantees you will enjoy and stay safe when you see various wildlife, from impressive elk to local bird species, while enjoying outdoor activities. Latitudes Outfitting Co. offers memorable, close-up wildlife experiences in Montana, emphasizing conservation and ethical practices to protect the state's natural beauty for future generations. Contact us if you’re ready for a memorable experience!
Robert Gary, Owner/Outfitter #7970
PO Box 1281
Hamilton, MT 59840
Operating on United States Forest Service - Special Use Permits
