GLASGOW – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists completed 2026 spring aerial surveys of deer population trends across Region 6 in northeastern Montana. The surveys indicate general increases in most districts.
Every year, Region 6 wildlife biologists conduct aerial surveys across 11 deer trend areas across the region to assess mule deer population trends in total observations and fawn recruitment ratios. Mule deer surveys occur post hunting season, usually in December and January, and again in the spring in March and April to estimate winter survival. The following results focus on the spring survey. Note that the trend areas surveyed are meant to be a sample of the total land area, and deer populations may vary across the region and in individual hunting districts.
An important factor of spring surveys is fawn to adult ratios that indicate fawn recruitment. Fawns that have survived their first winter, which is typically the hardest period in the annual cycle, are considered recruited into the population. These ratios can help inform FWP on overall winter survival, how the population is faring as it enters the summer season, and what the potential for growth might be in the upcoming year.
Northeast Montana region-wide summary
The 2026 winter across northeast Montana was fairly mild, but some areas in the extreme northeast corner had more difficult conditions with heavy snow. However, an early warming event in January melted most of the existing snow and the area experienced an open and mild winter from mid-January to spring, which is often the most challenging months for big game animals.
Mule deer densities in all 11 deer trend areas this spring indicated an increase of 32% from 2025 and overall were slightly above the long-term average. Region-wide fawn to adult ratios show a slight increase from 2025 and are 21% above the long-term average, indicating growing populations. Below is a breakdown of the 11 trend areas by geographic region going west to east in northeast Montana.
Havre area summary
Total deer counts were up from 2025 in all three trend areas in the Havre area, covering portions of Hunting Districts (HDs) 600 and 690. The population trend surveys in HDs 600 and 690 were above the long-term average.
In addition, the fawn to adult ratios were above the long-term average in all three trend areas.
Malta area summary
The Malta area includes three trend areas in portions of HDs 620, 621, and the western end of HD 670. Spring 2026 surveys show increased numbers in the HD 620 area from 2025 and total deer numbers were above the long-term average. In HD 621 and the western 670 trend areas, numbers were below the long-term averages and slightly below 2025 numbers.
The fawn to adult ratios in all three trend areas remained above the long-term average, indicating good recruitment into the population.
Glasgow area summary
Spring 2026 mule deer surveys in the Glasgow area indicated improved numbers in all three trend areas in hunting districts HD 630, western 650, and eastern 670, with the trend areas in 630 and western 650 being above the long-term average. The 670 Bitter Creek trend area showed substantially increased numbers from last year but was still 34% below the long-term average.
The fawn to adult ratios in all three trend areas remained above long-term averages but had little change from the 2025 surveys.
Plentywood area summary
The Plentywood area includes two trend areas, one in HD 640 and another in the eastern end of HD 650. The trend numbers in HD 640 remain 32% above long-term average but decreased from the 2025 spring survey. In the eastern portion of HD 650, total deer numbers increased over 30% from 2025 and are right at the long-term average.
Fawn to adult ratios were near long-term averages.
Conclusion
These surveys indicate a steady recovery of mule deer populations across much of Region 6 in northeast Montana, following the recent low numbers observed in 2024.
"Mule deer populations historically have followed a cyclic pattern from high to low populations over a 10-year period," says Region 6 wildlife manager Scott Thompson. "Biologists use these survey data, combined with harvest estimates and other factors such as weather, Chronic Wasting Disease prevalence, and landowner tolerance to recommend mule deer hunting season adjustments."
"If mother nature provides ample moisture in 2026, we should expect to see mule deer numbers continue to increase across northeast Montana," adds Thompson.