What Lives in Montana’s Forests?
If you’ve ever wondered what creatures call Montana (and The Hohnstead’s) wild forests home, you’re in for a treat. At our glamping cabins nestled deep in the woods, we’ve had front-row seats to some pretty incredible wildlife encounters—and we caught many of them on video! Whether it’s a majestic elk jumping around all drunk-like, or a deer hanging out in the company of elk, or animals trying to eat our wildcam — Montana’s forests are teeming with life and all we have to do is pay attention (or set up a hunting cam and go back to bed).
Meet the Locals: Animals of the Montana Woods
Elk
These massive creatures are among the largest land mammals in North America and are known for their haunting bugle calls during rutting season. Fun fact: A bull elk’s antlers can grow up to an inch a day in summer!
Black Bear
Yes, they’re here, but unlike Grizzly bears, Black Bears are usually more scared of you than you are of them. So wave your hands, yell, throw rocks at them, and they’ll sprint into the woods. Black bears are the largest land mammals we've seen on our property, and despite their name, their fur can be brown, cinnamon, or even blonde. They’re typically shy, solitary, and prefer to avoid people. In spring and early summer, you might spot one turning over logs or wandering the edges of meadows in search of berries or insects. They’re incredibly agile—able to run up to 30 mph and climb trees with ease!
Mule Deer & White-Tailed Deer
You’ll likely see deer if you spend even a little time hiking our trails. Mule deer, with their oversized ears, tend to stick to open forest edges, while white-tailed deer are a bit more elusive, darting off with their iconic tail flash. Keep your eyes peeled near dusk—they’re most active then. Recently, we’ve seen them hanging out in groups of 5-6.
Montana Red Fox
Graceful, quiet, and stunning in its red coat, the Montana red fox is one of our more photogenic residents. They’re clever hunters too—sometimes using the earth’s magnetic field to pounce on prey hidden below. We don’t spot them very often, but there is a good one captured in our Youtube Video here.
Coyote
Though often mistaken for wolves, coyotes are smaller and more vocal. We’ve captured a few on camera with their signature yipping and howling in the background. They’re highly adaptable, often hunting in pairs or solo, and are key players in keeping the rodent population in check (thank you coyotes for that!)
Sandhill Crane
These elegant, prehistoric-looking birds are a seasonal treat. Standing nearly four feet tall, with a distinct red cap and echoing calls, sandhill cranes migrate through our area in spring and fall. Seeing them glide across the sky in formation is nothing short of magical. Once you hear and identify one, you’ll never be able to forget that specialty call and moment.
Gophers & Squirrels
It wouldn’t be a proper Montana forest without some mischievous little ground dwellers. Gophers are expert tunnelers, aerating our soil like tiny, unseen farmers. As for squirrels, we have a few species, including the red squirrel and the northern flying squirrel. Who needs an alarm clock when you live in the forest full of squirrels :)
Recently, we spent a few months capturing wild critters that pass our property at one particular seasonal pond. Having a Wildcam do most of the shooting, when set on a movement setting, is one of the greatest joys. Going back to the camera a few times a week, feeling like a kid in a candy store, not knowing what you were going to get. Some footage was useless because an elk decided to move the camera, and it got nothing but a branch, moving in the wind. Some footage was at night, which was hard to see unless the animal was directly in front of the camera. And some footage was just right, making me feel like modern-day Snow White haha.
A Symphony in the Trees:
Birds of Montana
Grab your binoculars (or your longest camera lens)—the skies and branches above are full of colorful, charismatic birds. Here are a few of our favorites that we’ve photographed around the Hohnstead cabins over the years:
Hummingbirds – Tiny marvels of the forest, hummingbirds are like living jewels zipping through the air. Their wings beat so fast they create a soft hum, hence the name! In Montana, you might spot the Calliope or Rufous hummingbird, both boasting dazzling iridescent feathers in greens, reds, and purples. These little acrobats hover effortlessly while sipping nectar from flowers or feeders, and their high-pitched chirps add a magical soundtrack to warm summer days.
Steller’s Jay – With its bold blue feathers and punk-rock crest, this noisy bird is the forest’s gossip. It mimics other birds and sometimes even human sounds.
Evening Grosbeak – This stocky yellow-and-black bird travels in flocks and loves sunflower seeds. Their short, thick beaks are perfect for cracking tough shells.
Canada Jay – Also called the “whiskey jack,” these smart and friendly birds are known to follow hikers and scavenge snacks. They’re incredibly curious and a joy to observe.
American Robin – One of the first signs of spring, robins are excellent earthworm hunters and have a beautiful melodic song that’s hard to miss.
Western Tanager – A true forest gem, this bird flaunts bright yellow with a red-orange head. They may be shy, but their color makes them pop against the green trees.
Lazuli Bunting – Like a tiny piece of sky with wings, the male Lazuli Bunting is a dazzling blue beauty with a warm orange chest and white belly. These songbirds bring a splash of color and melody to the forest edge in spring and early summer. They favor shrubs and thickets and often sing from exposed perches.
Pileated Woodpecker – The forest’s drummer-in-chief, the Pileated Woodpecker, is impossible to miss. With its bold red crest, black-and-white stripes, and nearly crow-sized body, it looks like something straight out of a cartoon. You’ll often hear them before you see them—either their deep, resonant drumming echoing through the trees or their loud, laughing call. They carve out huge rectangular holes in dead trees looking for carpenter ants, and their excavations provide homes for other species long after they've moved on. A true symbol of wild forest life.
Great Horned Owl – The silent guardian of the night, the Great Horned Owl commands the forest after dark with its deep, booming hoots. Recognizable by its distinctive ear tufts—often called “horns”—and piercing yellow eyes, this powerful predator can take down prey much larger than itself, from rabbits to even other raptors. They’re masters of stealth and patience, blending into the shadows as they perch silently, watching over Montana’s woods.
Downy Woodpecker – Small but mighty, the Downy Woodpecker is the tiniest in Montana’s forests, but it makes up for size with its energetic drumming and sharp beak. With its black-and-white spotted wings and a bright red patch on the back of the males’ heads, it’s a lively and charming visitor at feeders and forest edges. You might catch it probing bark for insects or fluttering quickly between branches with a curious, busy energy.
Wild Turkeys – Though not originally native to Montana, wild turkeys have made themselves quite at home in our forests. You might spot either Merriam’s turkey, with its striking white-tipped tail feathers, or the Eastern turkey, which tends to have darker plumage. They forage for acorns, berries, and insects, skillfully blending into the underbrush while staying alert for danger. Strutting confidently across the forest floor, these social birds often travel in flocks and put on a dramatic display during mating season, with males fanning their iridescent tails and puffing out their chests (check out our recent encounter with two fighting stags we also caught on camera).
American Crow – Highly intelligent, social, and resourceful. Crows recognize faces and can even hold grudges. Trust us—they know who’s watching.
Bald Eagle – There’s nothing like the sight of this iconic raptor soaring overhead. They build enormous nests (some over a thousand pounds!) and return to them year after year.
Osprey – Often seen fishing along nearby rivers, ospreys dive talons-first into the water for trout. Watching them hunt is like witnessing a nature documentary in real-time.
Northern Goshawk – This fierce and elusive raptor is a true apex predator of the forest canopy. With blazing red eyes and lightning speed, goshawks are known for their agility, chasing down prey through dense trees with acrobatic skill. Spotting one is rare—and unforgettable.
Cooper’s Hawk – Sleek, stealthy, and built like a fighter jet, the Cooper’s Hawk is a skilled woodland predator. With its sharp talons and quick, darting flight, it’s often seen zipping through the trees in pursuit of smaller birds. They have a striking look: red eyes, a long, banded tail, and a steely blue-gray back.
If you’re looking for great Birding locations near Missoula, Montana (other than The Hohnstead, of course), check out this helpful post “Birding Around Missoula, Montana.”
If you’re a photography lover like me, check out these helpful 10 tips on “How To Photograph Nature.”
Come see for yourself why the Montana woods are so special—and maybe even catch a glimpse of some of these wild neighbors on your next visit to The Hohnstead Glamping Cabins.
