Mountain Lions in Montana in January
Yes, January is one of the best months to see mountain lions in Montana. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 24 of the 162 sightings logged across the year (14.8%), 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.
Peak month for mountain lions in Montana
14.8%
of yearly sightings
24
records in January
#1
busiest month of 12
162
verified records a year
December 9.9%, January 14.8%, February 6.8%. 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, January carries 14.8% of the year's mountain lions sightings, about 6.5 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 1st busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from December (9.9%) into January, and it heads toward February (6.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so January is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The mountain lions most often recorded in Montana are Mountain Lion. Those counts are annual totals rather than a January split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in January 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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Live tours nearbySee live tours near Big Hole National Battlefield
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main mountain lion viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
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Frequently asked questions
Can you see mountain lions in Montana in January?+
Yes. January accounts for 24 of the 162 verified mountain lions sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 14.8% of the annual total.
Is January a good time to see mountain lions in Montana?+
January is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of January, March and November.
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