Montana wildlife: what to see & when

Stable; ~3,000 in Montana per MTFWP

Historical keystone species, recovering from near-extinction

Widespread and stable in Montana's mountain valleys

Widespread but populations vary by region

Stable but locally sensitive to disease and habitat loss

Stable and common in eastern Montana plains

Widespread; populations stable in much of range

Protected species, stable within national parks, but range limited.

Widespread resident but also migratory along the Front

Common summer resident, breeds near large water bodies

Generally secure but local in open habitats

Common summer resident in brushy foothills

Widespread in Montana, popular sport fish

Native Montana trout, sensitive but recovering

Introduced and established in cold mountain waters across western Montana.

Non-native but naturalized, popular sport fish

Native to northern waters but introduced elsewhere, sustaining fisheries.

Sensitive native char, vulnerable to warming waters

Native but declining; restoration efforts ongoing in Montana.