The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has implemented new deer hunting regulations to alleviate pressure on public lands and address declining mule deer populations. During an extensive meeting in Helena, the commission decided to reduce nonresident deer hunting licenses by approximately 2,500 for the 2026-2027 seasons. Changes also include decreasing the allowable deer harvest per Montana hunter from eight to three and limiting doe harvest on public lands for all hunters.
Commission Chair Lesley Robison has prioritized these issues since joining the seven-member commission, noting significant hunting pressure, such as instances where more than 35 vehicles with out-of-state plates were spotted in a single district. This policy adjustment is projected to reduce Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ license revenues by $1.7 million annually and could impact small businesses reliant on nonresident hunters. The proposal analysis estimates selling over 12,000 nonresident licenses, reducing “harvest pressure.”
Robison expressed willingness to reevaluate the policy when more data on the deer populations emerge, emphasizing the necessity of current measures to address overcrowding. Commissioners Kirby Brooke and Jeff Burrows echoed public concerns, noting extensive comments about deer populations and hunting saturation. Burrows remarked, “We need to do something, we need to do it now, and it needs to be more than just a scalpel.”
Despite concerns, Burrows remains confident in the outfitting industry, which benefits from a system allowing clients to purchase “preference points” for better tag draw chances. Chris Fortune from the Mule Deer Foundation supports the license reduction, stating, “We’ve got to do our part,” given that mule deer populations have dropped significantly below 10-year averages. Fortune also endorsed Commissioner Ian Wargo’s proposal to limit “B” or antlerless tags for deer hunters, which was unanimously approved, focusing on public lands except in specific regions addressing urban deer and chronic wasting disease management.
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