Full Breakdown
Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission Implements New Deer Hunting Regulations
12/9/2025, 12:38:26 AM
New Regulations to Address Declining Mule Deer Population
On December 5, 2025, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new regulations aimed at mitigating hunting pressure on public lands and addressing the significant decline in the state's mule deer population. During an extensive eight-hour meeting in Helena, the commission voted to reduce the number of nonresident deer hunting licenses by approximately 2,500 for the 2026-2027 hunting seasons. Additionally, the total number of deer a hunter can harvest in a season was reduced from eight to three, and restrictions were placed on the number of does that both resident and nonresident hunters can harvest on public land.
Commission Chair Lesley Robison emphasized the urgency of the situation, citing a personal observation of over 35 vehicles with out-of-state plates in a hunting district south of Ennis. According to a 2023 report from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the mule deer population in Region 7 has decreased by 41% compared to its 10-year average. Local hunters attribute this decline to overharvesting.
Financial Implications and Industry Concerns
The new regulations are projected to decrease license revenue for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks by approximately $1.7 million annually. Robison acknowledged the potential negative impact on small businesses that depend on nonresident hunters during the fall season. However, she expressed a willingness to revisit the policy once more data is available regarding the factors contributing to the decline in deer numbers.
Commissioners Kirby Brooke and Jeff Burrows supported the decision, highlighting the overwhelming public concern regarding deer populations and hunter crowding. Brooke noted that nearly all of the 347 pages of public comments received mentioned mule deer, indicating a widespread call for action.
Support for Regulatory Changes
Chris Fortune from the Mule Deer Foundation commended the commission's decision to reduce nonresident licenses, asserting that while mule deer populations are currently below average, they can recover with appropriate measures. The commission also passed an amendment proposed by Commissioner Ian Wargo, which limits the availability of antlerless tags for both resident and nonresident hunters on public land, with exceptions for specific regions and urban deer management areas.
Burrows expressed confidence that the outfitting industry would not suffer significantly due to existing systems that allow clients to purchase preference points, thereby enhancing their chances of obtaining hunting tags.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We need to do something, we need to do it now, and it needs to be more than just a scalpel,” — Jeff Burrows, Commissioner
- “but we’ve got to do our part.” — Chris Fortune, Mule Deer Foundation
Conclusion
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission's new regulations reflect a proactive approach to address the declining mule deer population while balancing the interests of hunters and local businesses. As the commission monitors the outcomes of these changes, further adjustments may be considered to ensure the sustainability of deer populations in Montana.
