A plain-language summary of the new rules for Hunting Districts 426, 447 and 471 and the new elk restriction, approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission in December 2025, in effect for the fall 2026 seasons.
If you hunt big game in north-central Montana, a handful of rules changed this year — and they mostly affect mule deer bucks and antlerless elk. In short: in three hunting districts, taking a mule deer buck with a general license now stops partway through the rifle season, and antlerless elk are no longer legal on a general license in National Forest country. Read the sections below for exactly what changed where, then confirm everything in the full FWP press release before you head out.
The season dates haven’t changed. Archery-only season runs Sept. 5 – Oct. 18. The general rifle season runs Oct. 24 – Nov. 29. What changed is who can shoot what, and when.
Dates
Most of the new deer rules hinge on a two-part rifle season, so memorize this split first:
| Period | Dates | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Early rifle season (first three weeks) | Oct. 24 – Nov. 15 | General-license hunting is allowed (where the district permits it). |
| Late rifle season (last two weeks) | Nov. 16 – Nov. 29 | A special permit is required — general licenses no longer work for mule deer bucks. |
Hunting District 426
- During the archery-only season and the first three weeks of the rifle season (Oct. 24 – Nov. 15), you can harvest a mule deer buck on a general license.
- During the last two weeks (Nov. 16 – Nov. 29), mule deer bucks can be taken only with a special permit.
In other words: your general license buys you a mule deer buck for the first month of the season. Once Nov. 16 arrives, you need to have drawn a special permit — no permit, no buck.
Hunting District 471
- Identical to HD 426: mule deer bucks can be harvested on a general license during the archery-only season and the first three weeks of rifle season (Oct. 24 – Nov. 15).
- For the last two weeks (Nov. 16 – Nov. 29), a special permit is required.
In other words: if you hunt 426 and 471, the same calendar applies to both — general license early, permit only late.
Hunting District 447
- Inside the National Forest: mule deer bucks can be harvested only with a permit, during all seasons — including archery. The general license never covers a mule deer buck on National Forest land here.
- Outside the National Forest boundary: mule deer bucks can be harvested on a general license during the archery-only season and the first three weeks of rifle (Oct. 24 – Nov. 15), then permit only for the last two weeks (Nov. 16 – Nov. 29) — the same split as HDs 426 and 471.
In other words: 447 is the strictest of the three, but only on the forest side of the line. Know exactly where you’re standing — the boundary decides whether your general license is worth anything for a mule deer buck.
The new elk rule
- Antlerless elk cannot be harvested on the general license on National Forest lands during any season.
- The only hunters who may take an antlerless elk on Forest Service lands are holders of the 447-00 Elk B-license.
In other words: if you’re holding just a general license, a cow or calf elk is off the menu on National Forest land — in every season, archery included. Only the people who drew the specific 447-00 Elk B-license can take an antlerless elk there.
Why the rules changed
These aren’t arbitrary tightenings. FWP says survey observations and data — along with hunter feedback — show declines in the overall number of bucks and changes in the age class distribution within the mule deer herds in these districts. With antlerless opportunity already low, the department had one lever left.
“The changes are coming in response to survey observations and data, along with hunter feedback that indicate declines in the overall number of bucks and changes in the age class distribution within mule deer herds in these districts. Antlerless opportunity is already low, so the last tool available to us is to limit buck harvest.” — Shane Petch, FWP wildlife biologist, Stanford
The Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the changes in December 2025.
Before you head out — quick checklist
- Confirm which hunting district you’ll be in, and whether you’ll be inside or outside the National Forest boundary (matters most in HD 447).
- Check whether you’re hunting before or after Nov. 16 — that’s the general-license cutoff for mule deer bucks in HDs 426 and 471, and outside the National Forest in HD 447.
- Remember: mule deer bucks in HD 447’s National Forest lands require a permit in every season, archery included.
- For antlerless elk on National Forest land, a general license no longer works — you need the 447-00 Elk B-license.
- Questions? Contact FWP’s Region 4 office at 406-454-5840.
Regulations carry real consequences, and this page is only a plain-English walkthrough. Check out the full FWP press release for the complete details before you hunt.
Photo via A. Maxwell, small muley buck
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