Montana mule deer hunting

License year: 2026 and 2027. Each fact shows its own license year, source and the date we checked it. Always confirm with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks before you apply.

Over the counter or draw

Resident: Yes. Residents can buy the General Deer License over the counter Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Deer. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: No for most. Nonresidents must draw a Big Game Combination, Deer Combination or Landowner Sponsored License in a random lottery Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Deer. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Note: Many mule deer B licenses are now restricted to private land only Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Seasons

Archery

Starts: Sept. 5, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Oct. 18, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Youth (deer only, two days)

Starts: Oct. 15, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Oct. 16, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

General

Starts: Oct. 24, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Nov. 29, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Muzzleloader

Starts: Dec. 12, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Dec. 20, 2026 Source: FWP Hunting Seasons. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 seasons

Starts: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Ends: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

License and tag prices

Resident: $16 General deer license; youth/senior and disabled $8. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 3. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Nonresident: $760 NR Deer Combination (general deer, upland bird, season fishing). $832.50 with the $5 application, $10 conservation, $50 base hunting and $7.50 AIS pass. Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 5. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $15 Resident Deer B by drawing (includes $5 application) Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $10 Resident Deer B over the counter Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 3. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $5 Resident deer permit (application fee only; general deer license required) Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 4. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $75 NR Deer B license fee (+$5 application in the drawing) Source: FWP License Fees for 2026 (license ambassador sheet), PDF p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Other license or tag: $380 NR Native Deer Combination (Montana-born with a current resident relative; other qualifications apply) Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 13. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

How to apply and limits

How to apply: Nonresidents apply online for a combination license March 1 - April 1 (2026 cycle); deer permits by April 1; Deer B drawing by June 1 Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Limit: A resident hunter may hold a total of three deer licenses (a general license and two B licenses, or three B licenses) Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 15. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Deadlines

2026 nonresident combination license drawing

Opens: March 1, 2026, 5 a.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: April 1, 2026, 11:45 p.m. MST Source: FWP Nonresident License Fees. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 deer and elk permit applications

Deadline: April 1, 2026 Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2026 Deer B and Elk B license drawings

Deadline: June 1, 2026 Source: FWP Hunt by Species: Elk. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Over-the-counter Deer B and Elk B licenses on sale

Opens: June 15, 2026 Changed for 2026. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 7. License year 2026. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

2027 application dates

Opens: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.
Closes: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hasn't published this yet. Source: FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Regulations. License year 2027. Checked Oct 26, 2026.

Montana elk and mule deer draw odds by unit: past results from each state agency, with the source for every number.