Several years of extreme drought and the long winter in 2022-23 reduced deer and elk populations in most areas of northeast Montana. FWP adjusted license quotas in many districts as needed, and many districts are at their lowest quota level for antlerless mule deer and elk.
The last three winters were mild, however, and more precipitation has improved habitat conditions in much of the region, resulting in improving trends for most big game populations.
Elk
Surveys conducted in 2026 in the Missouri River Breaks showed elk numbers about 22 percent lower than the last survey in 2024 and 65 percent below long-term averages. In reaction to decreasing elk populations in recent years, biologists have reduced antlerless (cow) licenses by 550 licenses (69 percent) in hunting districts (HD) 620, 621 and 622, and removed the late elk should season starting in 2024. Beyond these adjustments, licenses for archery elk were reduced from 1,500 to 1,000 in HD 620-621-622 and from 200 to 100 in HD 630. For hunters that have drawn one of these limited licenses or permits, you may see fewer elk but also fewer elk hunters.
In the Bears Paw area, which was last surveyed in 2025, elk remain within population objectives. The number of antlerless elk licenses was increased from 300 to 450. There is an opportunity to hunt antlerless elk during the general season with a general license in HD 690.
Mule deer
Mule deer densities in all 11 deer trend areas this spring indicated an increase of 32 percent from 2025 and overall were slightly above the long-term average. Region-wide fawn to adult ratios show a slight increase from 2025 surveys and are currently 21 percent above the long-term average, indicating growing populations.
Mule deer buck ratios observed during the last post-season survey did improve over the previous couple of years but remain 15 percent below the long-term average across the region.
In HDs 621 and 622, a more restrictive buck-only hunting season initiated in 2023 will continue in 2026, with no antlerless mule deer harvest allowed in those districts.
Additionally, regulations continue that restricts antlerless mule deer harvest to occur only on private land in Region 6. As always, please read and follow all hunting regulations.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer densities observed during surveys in the late winter of 2026 are 56 percent below the long-term average across the region. Populations are still recovering along the Milk River between Nashua and Harlem due to an epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak in the early fall of 2025. Similarly, due to an EHD outbreak in the summer of 2024, populations are still low in the eastern end of the region along the Missouri River and nearby uplands and croplands.
White-tailed deer densities improve further out into the prairie habitats throughout the region, and will likely provide better opportunity than river stretches that recently experienced EHD outbreaks.
Deer B licenses and opportunities
All deer licenses (both mule deer and whitetail) are administered through the drawing process.
Mule deer B licenses are valid in specific hunting districts and administered through the drawing. Sometimes there are licenses available in surplus that may become available over the counter. As noted above, mule deer B licenses are only valid on private land in Region 6.
Starting in 2026, white-tailed deer B licenses are no longer available over-the-counter and are instead allocated through the drawing process, but there may be some surplus licenses available. Antlerless white-tailed deer B licenses are valid across Region 6 to allow hunters to use the license where densities may be higher.
Resident hunters should also take note that there is a limit of three deer licenses per hunter. This may be a combination of a general license and two B licenses or three B licenses.
Nonresidents are allowed no more than two deer B licenses when holding a combination license, and only one if they do not hold a combination license.
Pronghorn
In general, pronghorn populations have increased during the past decade in Region 6. Total pronghorn numbers across the region during summer surveys increased for the third year in a row and were 36 percent above the long-term average overall. Population densities observed during the 2026 surveys are the highest seen since 2003.
Some variability in pronghorn populations is seen between individual hunting districts, with biologists observing a notable increase in pronghorn populations in HDs 630 and 670, where license quotas were increased for the 2026 season. Other Region 6 districts have seen positive trends in recent years, and license levels were increased in previous years to reflect those improved populations.