Mountain Lions in Montana in December
Yes, December is a good month to see mountain lions in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 16 of the 162 sightings logged across the year (9.9%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Good month for mountain lions in Montana
9.9%
of yearly sightings
16
records in December
#4
busiest month of 12
162
verified records a year
November 11.1%, December 9.9%, January 14.8%. Busiest month is January at 14.8%.
162 verified observations of mountain lions in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mountain lions are recorded in Montana
Peak month
January
24 records (14.8% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Januarypeak | 24 | 14.8% |
| February | 11 | 6.8% |
| Marchpeak | 19 | 11.7% |
| April | 14 | 8.6% |
| May | 10 | 6.2% |
| June | 14 | 8.6% |
| July | 6 | 3.7% |
| August | 12 | 7.4% |
| September | 10 | 6.2% |
| October | 8 | 4.9% |
| Novemberpeak | 18 | 11.1% |
| December | 16 | 9.9% |
Mountain Lions you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mountain Lion | 162 |
In Montana, December carries 9.9% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 1.6 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 4th busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is easing off from November (11.1%) into December, and it heads toward January (14.8%) after. The busiest month is January (14.8%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The mountain lions most often recorded in Montana are Mountain Lion. Those counts are annual totals rather than a December split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in December itself.
Which mountain lions you are most likely to see
- Mountain Lion162 records
Plan your mountain lion trip in Montana
Start with live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
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Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main mountain lion viewing area.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see mountain lions in Montana in December?+
Yes. December accounts for 16 of the 162 verified mountain lions sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 9.9% of the annual total.
Is December a good time to see mountain lions in Montana?+
December is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though January and March is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for mountain lions in Montana?+
January is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through January, March and November, based on 162 verified observations.
Which mountain lions are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Mountain Lion, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See mountain lions in Montana in other months
More wildlife in Montana