MONTANA GAME BIRD POPULATION UPDATE
photo of Yaak Valley, Montana ruffed grouse and shotgun by Brian Grossenbacher
Montana game bird populations should be healthy across most of the state in 2026.
Wild game bird populations can fluctuate annually depending on several factors. Duration of winter and subsequent spring chick survival may have the most significant impact. Other contributing factors that impact the health of Montana game bird populations include predators and drought.
Drought in the immediate year prior makes life more difficult for game bird populations. Moisture in food sources is during drought conditions and food sources may even contain less nutrients. And predators can significantly play a role in decreasing populations especially if numbers are already compromised.
Hard winters and cold, wet springs have a double whammy effect on Montana game bird populations. Depending on conditions, long winters can be especially hard on populations. With big snow food and shelter become scarce. And game bird populations succumb to starvation and on really bad years may even die from exposure. In turn, there will be fewer adults to breed. Additionally, if spring weather is cold and wet, chick survival is especially diminished since food sources are further compromised and keeping chicks fed, warm and dry becomes impossible for hens.
As I write, it’s already looking like spring here in Montana. It can often be a fool’s errand to assume this in early March here in Montana but make no mistake. 2025 has been an extraordinarily mild winter across the state. Game bird populations were solid last fall. And adult birds should have survived the winter well. Provided the spring remains relatively mild and no extreme weather occurs during May and June, populations of forest grouse, pheasant, sharptail grouse, Hungarian partridge, and sage grouse should be above average across Montana in fall of 2026.
Please call if you have any questions about Montana upland bird hunting or Montana fly fishing or need more information on the adventures Linehan Outfitting offers. And check out our online store for all sorts of Linehan Outfitting branded swag and Orvis gear.
