During 2025, game wardens from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reported a rise in the number of mountain lions illegally harvested in central Montana by hunters who had not purchased a license in advance.
During the 2025 general big game season, five mountain lions were taken by hunters in Region 4. Wardens discovered that three of the five hunters admitted to purchasing their licenses only after they had already shot the lions. As a result, these hunters received citations for hunting without a valid license or for unlawful possession of wildlife. The total fines and restitution for the three hunters amounted to $3,605, and all of the lions were confiscated.
“These are really just crimes of opportunity,” said Game Warden Sergeant Trent Farmer, who assisted with the investigations. “Hunters are encountering and harvesting lions as they hunt for deer and elk, and then attempting to circumvent the law by buying a license after the fact. Hunters interested in harvesting a lion need to plan ahead and buy their license before the season begins.”
Full details regarding the 2026 lion hunting regulations, seasons, and quotas will be available later this summer.
By Karen Anderson: March 14, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
