12 licensed outfitters guide bear hunts in Southwest Montana. Season dates below come from the Montana wildlife agency; license status comes from the body that issued it.
Montana bear season dates
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring est. | April 15, 2026 | May 31, 2026 | Spring 2026 season shown; closes May 31 or June 15 depending on the bear management unit. Spring 2027 dates were not yet published as of 2026-09-05. Black bear identification test required for first-time license buyers. |
| Fall | September 15, 2026 | November 29, 2026 | Fall general black bear season. Archery-only Sept. 5-14. 48-hour reporting required for all black bear harvests. |
| Archery | September 5, 2026 | September 14, 2026 | Archery-only black bear season. |
2026-2027 seasonVerified against Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 2026 Hunting Seasons and 2026 hunting regulations on September 5, 2026.Source: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/seasons Confirm dates in the current regulations before you hunt.
Bear outfitters in Southwest Montana
Backcountry Montana Adventures, LLC
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Lion
Scott and Sandy Sallee are lifelong Montanans who love to share the beauty and bounty of their state. From float trips on the Yellowstone River to casting a fly on a high mountain lake above their horseback camp, summers are an adventure. Fall finds them …
Black Bear · Elk · Mountain Lion
BW Outfitters, LLC is located 25 miles North of Yellowstone Park in the beautiful Paradise Valley. Bob Wetzel’s passion for hunting and the history of the land evolved into BW Outfitters, LLC in 1985. His wife’s family homesteaded the land that is now loved …
Black Bear · Elk · Mule Deer
Your hosts are Justin and Judy O’Hair, the fifth generation operating the O’Hair Ranch Company. As a Montana working rancher, Justin O’Hair is intimately familiar with this land, the habitat and wildlife patterns. More than 55 sections of land are reserved for …
Black Bear · Elk · Moose · Mule Deer · Whitetail Deer
Dome Mountain Outfitters We offer fully guided Big Game hunts for Elk, Deer, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Bison & Wolf Hunting, Guided Fly Fishing, Summer Horseback Trips, Summer Horseback Fishing Trips
Black Bear
Flying Diamond Ranch sits at the base of the breathtaking Absarokee/Beartooth Mountain range. Jack and Martin Davis are 4th generation ranchers who offer horseback rides and mountain lake fishing in the spectacular Paradise Valley. Their ranch is located about …
Black Bear
Warren and Susan both worked in Warren?s family hunting camp when they became engaged in 1979. In 1981 they bought their own camp in upper Hellroaring. They have two children, Jeremiah and Aimee, who have always played a big part in the business. Their help …
Black Bear
Guided public land horse back hunts in Paradise Valley and crazy mountains elk dear goat, fall bear
Black Bear
Rising Son Outfitters is a family oriented outfitting business, established in 1985. It is owned and operated by Randy and Dena Petrich and their three sons-Zach, Zane and Zander. We are located in south central Montana, in the beautiful Paradise Valley, only …
Black Bear
Story Cattle Company & Outfitting has been in the outfitting business for over forty years. We hunt on 12,000+ private acres and operate under a US Forest Service special use permit as well. Our four guides have a combined 60 years of experience on the ranch. …
Black Bear
12 licensed outfittersLicense status verified against Montana Outfitters and Guides Association (MOGA), member directory on September 5, 2026.Source: montanaoutfitters.org/find-an-outfitter Confirm an outfitter’s license with the issuing board before you book.
Before you book
- Confirm the outfitter’s license is current — every listing links to the issuing body’s own record.
- Ask which hunt areas they operate in, and whether a bear tag there is draw-only or over the counter.
- All outfitters in Southwest Montana
- Montana bear hunting outfitters
For reference only. This page summarizes agency publications and is not legal advice or an official source; confirm dates, limits and fees with the state wildlife agency before you hunt. Regulations change mid-season. Send a correction if you spot an error. Disclaimer.