County History

The Chisholm Trail crossed Montague County in the 1800s cattle drives

Montague County was a cattle country corridor — the Chisholm Trail passed through here starting in 1867.

Montague County was organized in 1858 and named after Daniel Montague, a surveyor of the Fannin Land District. The county is in north-central Texas on the Oklahoma border, about 100 miles northwest of Dallas. The Red River forms its northern edge.

By fall 1867 the Chisholm Trail was moving cattle through the county. Ranching dominated the economy for decades. Railroads arrived in the early 1880s, spurring growth in towns like Bowie and Nocona. Bowie is today the county's largest town with about 5,500 residents. Montague, the tiny county seat, has a few hundred people but holds the county courthouse and main government offices.

Source to confirm: Texas Handbook — Montague County

More Montague County notes

Property Tax

Who handles your property taxes in Montague County

Two separate offices handle property taxes here — one sets the value, one collects the bill.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead exemption can cut your tax bill in Montague County

If this is your main home, you likely qualify for an exemption that reduces how much of its value is taxed.

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Hunting Regulations

Deer hunting rules in Montague County have a specific antler restriction

Montague County sits in the North Zone with a four-deer bag limit, but only one buck can have a wide spread.

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Public Land

LBJ National Grasslands offers public hunting and camping in Montague County

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands stretches into Montague County and is open to hunting, camping, and hiking.

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