Owls in Montana in August
Yes, August is a good month to see owls in Montana. It is the 4th busiest month of the year, with 146 of the 1,703 sightings logged across the year (8.6%), 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 30, 2026.
Good month for owls in Montana
8.6%
of yearly sightings
146
records in August
#4
busiest month of 12
1,703
verified records a year
July 9.9%, August 8.6%, September 6.7%. Busiest month is May at 16.4%.
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 |
In Montana, August carries 8.6% of the year's owls sightings, about 0.3 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 July (9.9%) into August, and it heads toward September (6.7%) after. The busiest month is May (16.4%), so if timing is flexible, that window is the safer bet.
The owls most often recorded in Montana are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Burrowing Owl. Those counts are annual totals rather than a August split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in August itself.
Which owls you are most likely to see
- Great Horned Owl658 records
- Short-eared Owl202 records
- Burrowing Owl193 records
- Great Gray Owl152 records
- Northern Saw-whet Owl90 records
- Northern Pygmy-Owl86 records
Plan your owl 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 owl viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Big Hole National Battlefield
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best owl viewing area in Montana.
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Broader backupBook a owl tour in Montana
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see owls in Montana in August?+
Yes. August accounts for 146 of the 1,703 verified owls sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 8.6% of the annual total.
Is August a good time to see owls in Montana?+
August is the 4th busiest month. It is workable, though May and June is the stronger window for a reliable sighting.
What month is best for owls in Montana?+
May is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through May, June and July, based on 1,703 verified observations.
Which owls are you most likely to see in Montana?+
The most-recorded species in Montana are Great Horned Owl, Short-eared Owl and Burrowing Owl, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See owls in Montana in other months
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Montana