Best Time to See Great Horned Owls in Montana
May, June and July is the best time to see great horned owls in Montana. Based on 669 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when great horned owls are most active across the year in Montana.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 20, 2026.
Great Horned Owl · Jared Shorma CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Henry Mulligan CC BY
Great Horned Owl · Henry Mulligan CC BY
669 verified observations of great horned owls in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When great horned owls are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
122 records (18.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23 | 3.4% |
| February | 34 | 5.1% |
| March | 41 | 6.1% |
| April | 59 | 8.8% |
| Maypeak | 122 | 18.2% |
| Junepeak | 90 | 13.5% |
| Julypeak | 76 | 11.4% |
| August | 75 | 11.2% |
| September | 57 | 8.5% |
| October | 40 | 6% |
| November | 31 | 4.6% |
| December | 21 | 3.1% |
Great Horned Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 669 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when great horned owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for great horned owls sit around 36 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°F | 17°F | 1" |
| Feb | 22°F | 9°F | 1.5" |
| Mar | 33°F | 18°F | 1.1" |
| Apr | 40°F | 24°F | 2.3" |
| Maybest time | 53°F | 36°F | 3.5" |
| Junbest time | 65°F | 47°F | 3.2" |
| Julbest time | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Aug | 74°F | 54°F | 1.7" |
| Sep | 65°F | 46°F | 2.1" |
| Oct | 46°F | 31°F | 2" |
| Nov | 36°F | 23°F | 1" |
| Dec | 30°F | 18°F | 1" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Montana. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of great horned owls in Montana peak in May, when 122 of the year's 669 verified observations are logged — about 18.2% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is December, January and November, when great horned owls are hardest to find — December sees just 21 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The great horned owls you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Great Horned Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see great horned owls in Montana
- Big Hole National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Yellowstone National Park — National Park
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see great horned owls in Montana?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 669 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are great horned owls hardest to see in Montana?+
December is the quietest month for great horned owls in Montana, with only 21 verified records.
Are great horned owls active year-round in Montana?+
Great horned owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More wildlife in Montana