Owls in Montana in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see owls in Montana. It is the 1st busiest month of the year, with 280 of the 1,703 sightings logged across the year (16.4%), 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.
Peak month for owls in Montana
16.4%
of yearly sightings
280
records in May
#1
busiest month of 12
1,703
verified records a year
April 8.4%, May 16.4%, June 13.8%. 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, May carries 16.4% of the year's owls sightings, about 8.1 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 April (8.4%) into May, and it heads toward June (13.8%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
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 May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May 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.
GetYourGuide
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 May?+
Yes. May accounts for 280 of the 1,703 verified owls sightings logged in Montana across the year, which is 16.4% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see owls in Montana?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 1st of the year and sits inside the peak window of May, June and July.
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