Best Time to See Owls in Montana
May, June and July is the best time to see owls in Montana. Based on 1,703 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when 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 June 30, 2026.
Northern Hawk Owl · Ben Meredyk CC BY
Short-eared Owl · Cole Wolf CC BY
Great Gray Owl · John Powers CC BY
1,703 verified observations of owls in Montana, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Montana
Peak month
May
280 records (16.4% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 122 | 7.2% |
| February | 140 | 8.2% |
| March | 135 | 7.9% |
| April | 143 | 8.4% |
| Maypeak | 280 | 16.4% |
| Junepeak | 235 | 13.8% |
| Julypeak | 169 | 9.9% |
| August | 146 | 8.6% |
| September | 114 | 6.7% |
| October | 75 | 4.4% |
| November | 71 | 4.2% |
| December | 73 | 4.3% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 658 |
| Short-eared Owl | 202 |
| Burrowing Owl | 193 |
| Great Gray Owl | 152 |
| Northern Saw-whet Owl | 90 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 86 |
| Long-eared Owl | 74 |
| Snowy Owl | 67 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Montana
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for 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.
More on owls in Montana:
Sightings of owls in Montana peak in May, when 280 of the year's 1,703 verified observations are logged — about 16.4% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, June and July.
The quietest stretch is November, December and October, when owls are hardest to find — November sees just 71 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Montana are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Burrowing 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 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
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Montana?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, June and July, based on 1,703 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Montana?+
November is the quietest month for owls in Montana, with only 71 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Montana?+
Owls 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 owls
More wildlife in Montana