Licenses go on sale November 4; only archery equipment allowed

ROUNDUP – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the City of Roundup have scheduled an archery-only mule deer management hunt in and around Roundup to reduce the number of urban deer. 

Fifty either-sex mule deer licenses for this hunt will go on sale Wednesday, Nov. 4, and will be limited to two per person. Online sales will begin at 5 a.m. and in-person sales will begin at regular business hours. These Roundup management deer B licenses will be available for residents and non-residents and do not count toward an individual hunter’s limit of deer B licenses they may have in one year. A current Conservation License, Base Hunting License, and Bow & Arrow License are required for purchase. The management hunt will be open from Nov. 30 to Feb. 15, 2027.  

In the early 2010s, high mule deer numbers in and around Roundup resulted in unacceptable property damage and concerns for human safety. In response, FWP, in conjunction with the Roundup City Council, Mayor, and Musselshell County Commissioners, developed the City of Roundup Deer Management Plan in 2014 to address the urban deer population. Public hunting with archery equipment in and around the town is the primary method outlined in this plan to meet the goal of reducing the urban mule deer population. The Roundup mule deer management hunt has happened every year since 2014. 

In 2025, 50 either-sex mule deer licenses were sold for the Roundup mule deer management hunt and 5 does were harvested. Some hunters reported the urban deer were more challenging to hunt, as they are becoming increasingly wary of people. 

Roundup city officials and the Musselshell County Sheriff’s Office have observed fewer conflicts with deer and vehicle-deer collisions since the management hunt began. Success rates for the hunts have ranged from 7 to 18 percent since 2014. 

Important details for the Roundup mule deer management hunt: 

• Hunters must obtain permission to hunt from the Roundup City Offices by calling 406-323-2804. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and are located at 34 3rd Ave. West. 
• Licenses for this hunt are $10 each for residents and $75 each for non-residents. 
• The City of Roundup may assign hunters to specific hunting sites. 
• Hunting will take place on designated property owned by the City of Roundup and Musselshell County. See the map linked below. 
• Hunters must bag and properly dispose of deer viscera and carcass parts at the Roundup Landfill. Hunters won’t be charged a fee if they show their City of Roundup permission slip. 
• Hunters must report their harvest to the Roundup City Offices at 406-323-2804. 
• Only archery equipment is allowed for this hunt, as defined in the 2026 Deer, Elk and Antelope hunting regulations.  

Detailed management hunt rules and hunt locations are available here.

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