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Montana Reduces Deer Harvest Limits to Ease Hunting Pressure
Montana wildlife officials approved a sweeping set of deer hunting regulation changes this week aimed at easing pressure on public lands and helping the state’s mule deer rebound from years of decline.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Thursday to reduce nonresident general deer licenses by roughly 2,500 for the 2026 and 2027 hunting seasons. Commissioners also lowered the total number of deer a resident hunter can harvest each year from eight to three. The changes were approved during an eight hour meeting in Helena after months of public testimony highlighting crowding on public land and shrinking deer numbers.
Commission Chair Lesley Robinson said the measures reflect growing concern from hunters across the state. She pointed to reports of more than 35 vehicles parked in a single district south of Ennis, many with out of state plates.
A growing number of nonresident hunters also voiced support. Wade Burns of North Dakota said residents and the resource should come first.
“I am a nonresident and I think it is important to take care of your residents as well as game first and foremost. It is nice to have the ability to come and hunt but it should not be at the sacrifice of the residents or game just for the sake of revenue,” Burns said.
According to a 2023 Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks report, mule deer in Region 7 are down 41 percent from the 10 year average. The district stretches from the southern edge of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge to the far southeast corner of the state. Many hunters say heavy harvest pressure has contributed to the decline.Robinson said she is open to revisiting the new limits once biologists have a clearer picture of the factors driving the downturn. She also acknowledged that reducing nonresident licenses will create financial strain. The agency estimates a revenue loss of about 1.7 million dollars each year.
Some outfitters echoed those concerns. Will Israel, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, testified that fewer nonresident licenses could mean economic hardship for businesses that depend on visiting hunters.
Still, commissioners Kirby Brooke and Jeff Burrows said the volume of public comments made it clear that something needed to change. Burrows described the decision as a necessary step to address overcrowding and declining herds, saying the situation required more than a careful trim.
Others supported the moves. The Mule Deer Foundation said populations can recover if harvest pressure decreases and backed a proposal from Commissioner Ian Wargo to further restrict antlerless mule deer tags on public land. That amendment passed unanimously and applies to both resident and nonresident hunters, except in areas where managers are focused on controlling chronic wasting disease or urban deer numbers.
The changes will go into effect for the 2026 2027 deer seasons as the state continues studying the long-term impact of nonresident hunting pressure and herd health.
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