Best Time to See Mourning Doves in Montana
May, July and June is the best time to see mourning doves in Montana. Based on 239 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when mourning doves 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.
Mourning Dove · Shawn Taylor CC BY
Mourning Dove · jjfeiler CC BY
Mourning Dove · Monics Paredes CC BY
239 verified observations of mourning doves in Montana, recorded across 10 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When mourning doves are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
49 records (20.5% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 3 | 1.3% |
| March | 1 | 0.4% |
| April | 24 | 10% |
| Maypeak | 49 | 20.5% |
| Junepeak | 46 | 19.2% |
| Julypeak | 48 | 20.1% |
| August | 43 | 18% |
| September | 22 | 9.2% |
| October | 2 | 0.8% |
| November | 1 | 0.4% |
| December | 0 | 0% |
Mourning Doves you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 239 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when mourning doves are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for mourning doves 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 mourning doves in Montana peak in May, when 49 of the year's 239 verified observations are logged — about 20.5% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, July and June.
The quietest stretch is January, December and March, when mourning doves are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The mourning doves you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Mourning Dove — 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 mourning doves 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 mourning doves in Montana?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, July and June, based on 239 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are mourning doves hardest to see in Montana?+
January is the quietest month for mourning doves in Montana, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are mourning doves active year-round in Montana?+
Mourning doves are recorded in 10 of 12 months in Montana, concentrated around May and July.
More wildlife in Montana