Best Time to See Hawks in Montana
May, August and June is the best time to see hawks in Montana. Based on 4,313 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when hawks 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 June 28, 2026.
Red-tailed Hawk · Tom Field CC BY
Swainson's Hawk · Public domain CC0
Sharp-shinned Hawk · Cole Wolf CC BY
4,313 verified observations of hawks in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When hawks are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
537 records (12.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 328 | 7.6% |
| February | 280 | 6.5% |
| March | 240 | 5.6% |
| April | 348 | 8.1% |
| Maypeak | 537 | 12.5% |
| Junepeak | 508 | 11.8% |
| July | 455 | 10.5% |
| Augustpeak | 511 | 11.8% |
| September | 374 | 8.7% |
| October | 231 | 5.4% |
| November | 184 | 4.3% |
| December | 317 | 7.3% |
Hawks you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Bald Eagle | 1,362 |
| Red-tailed Hawk | 995 |
| Swainson's Hawk | 349 |
| Golden Eagle | 324 |
| Northern Harrier | 312 |
| Rough-legged Hawk | 293 |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk | 214 |
| Cooper's Hawk | 177 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when hawks are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for hawks sit around 36 to 74 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" |
| Jul | 75°F | 55°F | 2" |
| Augbest time | 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.
More on hawks in Montana:
Sightings of hawks in Montana peak in May, when 537 of the year's 4,313 verified observations are logged — about 12.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, August and June.
The quietest stretch is November, October and March, when hawks are hardest to find — November sees just 184 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The hawks you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk and Swainson's Hawk — 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 hawks 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see hawks in Montana?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, August and June, based on 4,313 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are hawks hardest to see in Montana?+
November is the quietest month for hawks in Montana, with only 184 verified records.
Are hawks active year-round in Montana?+
Hawks are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Montana, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see hawks
More wildlife in Montana