These 8 Meats Are Surprisingly Illegal To Grill In Montana

BUTTE, MT - When it comes to barbecue in Montana, there’s no shortage of pride.

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Whether it's a roadside smoker on a dusty highway or a backyard setup with custom-cut hickory, we definitely know how to do meat right in the Treasure State.

Brisket, elk steaks, even smoked trout—we throw it on the grill and do it with flair. (Anyone else getting hungry?)

But what if we told you some of that meat might technically be illegal?

In the land of wide-open spaces and undeniably independent values, “illegal meat” sounds like the kind of thing you’d only hear in big cities or countries we can't pronounce.

But believe it or not, even here in Big Sky Country, there are some cuts and creatures you can’t legally toss on the BBQ...no matter how good your dry rub is.

Here Are 8 Meats That Are Illegal to BBQ or Process in Montana

Between federal wildlife laws, state hunting regulations, and health codes, a surprising number of meats are off-limits in Montana, whether due to conservation concerns, disease risk, or the simple fact that they’re classified as exotic or endangered.

Some are banned nationwide, others just in Montana, but the result is the same: grill it and you could be facing a fine—or worse.

So before you throw that “mystery meat” on the smoker for your next big cookout, you might want to make sure it’s not on this list of meats that are absolutely not allowed on the grill in Montana.