Changes For Shed Antler Hunting in 2026

The 2025 Montana Legislature passed a law that changes shed antler hunting in Montana for nonresidents.

The new law does two things. It establishes a $50 nonresident shed hunting license for Montana’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), and it prohibits nonresidents from picking up antlers on WMAs for the first seven days they are open in the spring.

Most WMAs open to the public at 12 PM on May 15. However, some have different opening times. Nonresident shed hunters must review the regulations for the WMA they are looking to visit. There are no changes for resident shed hunters.

The new law doesn...