Several years of extreme drought and the long winter in 2022-23 reduced deer and elk populations in most areas of northeast Montana. FWP adjusted license quotas in many districts as needed, and many districts are at their lowest quota level for antlerless mule deer and elk.

The last three winters were mild, however, and more precipitation has improved habitat conditions in much of the region, resulting in improving trends for most big game populations.

Elk

Surveys conducted in 2026 in the Missouri River Breaks showed elk numbers about 22 percent lower than the last survey in 2024 and 65 percent below long-term averages. In reaction to decreasing elk populations in recent years, biologists have reduced antlerless (cow) licenses by 550 licenses (69 percent) in hunting districts (HD) 620, 621 and 622, and removed the late elk should season starting in 2024. Beyond these adjustments, licenses for archery elk were reduced from 1,500 to 1,000 in HD 620-621-622 and from 200 to 100 in HD 630. For hunters that have drawn one of these limited licenses or permits, you may see fewer elk but also fewer elk hunters.

In the Bears Paw area, which was last surveyed in 2025, elk remain within population objectives. The number of antlerless elk licenses was increased from 300 to 450. There is an opportunity to hunt antlerless elk during the general season with a general license in HD 690.

Mule deer Read more

BILLINGS – Above-average summer temperatures and below-average precipitation across most of the region have resulted in reduced forage for wildlife going into late summer. However, following a mild winter, mule deer fawn recruitment improved in some south-central Montana hunting districts.

Elk

Elk are abundant in Region 5. Surveys this year again showed stable to slightly increasing herd sizes. The majority of elk are observed on private land where gaining hunting access may be difficult.

Mule deer

Mule deer numbers in central and eastern parts of Region 5 are near or above long-term average. Mule deer numbers on trend areas in the remainder of the region range from 30 percent to more than 60 percent below long-term averages. Over the past couple years, mule deer numbers appear to be mostly stable. Some districts showed higher fawn recruitment this spring than has been observed for several years. The mule deer population has shown some improvement, but most districts are still well below the long-term average. For the region overall, mule deer buck harvest is 40 percent below long-term average and has been relatively stable for the past four years. The average age of harvested mule deer bucks remains near 3.5 years old.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer numbers across the region have improved slightly, however, many areas continue to have counts below the long-term average.

Pronghorn Read more

GREAT FALLS – Big game species across most of FWP’s Region 4 came out of the 2025–26 winter in good condition, with strong overwinter survival rates for not only adults but also the fawns and calves born in 2025. During the winter and spring much of the region experienced a continuance of the moderate to severe drought that reduced habitat quality, but timely and abundant rainfall in late spring and early summer rapidly and significantly improved forage and overall habitat conditions. As a result, elk, deer and pronghorn are entering the critical fall and winter period of 2026 in very good body condition for the first time in the past several years. This turnaround gives wildlife managers optimism, and barring a particularly harsh winter, they anticipate strong fawn and calf production next year – setting the stage for improved hunter success and big game populations in the seasons ahead.

Access in Region 4 consists of large areas of state and federal land that provide big game hunting opportunities that are open to everyone, although hunters who are willing to hike away from roads and access points and concentrate on less accessible terrain generally have better chances of locating animals. Region 4 also has well over a million acres of private land enrolled in the state’s Block Management Program, which allows public access to private land. Other private lands may also offer some hunting access, especially to hunters willing to harvest antlerless animals. As always, hunters should contact landowners well in advance of the season to secure hunting permission.

Elk

Elk numbers in Region 4 are very strong and generally meet or exceed population objectives in all districts, but the distribution of elk on the landscape varies widely. Many elk concentrate in large numbers on private lands which offer limited or no public access, while nearby public lands may hold relatively few animals.

Access to private-land elk hunting in Region 4 varies considerably, both among districts and among individual landowners. Some landowners allow hunting only for antlerless elk, while others permit either-sex harvest. Opportunities to hunt bulls differs widely depending upon the district, and in many districts, hunters with a general elk license may pursue bulls. But in several districts, especially island mountain ranges, the Missouri River Breaks and certain state-owned wildlife management areas bull hunting is limited to hunters who drew a limited entry permit.

Several hunting districts in Region 4 have shoulder seasons, which offer hunting for antlerless elk outside of the general archery and rifle seasons. Hunters should read their regulations carefully before hunting, and consider taking advantage of these special opportunities to harvest antlerless elk.

Mule Deer Read more

BOZEMAN – Hunting opportunities for a variety of wildlife are plentiful in southwestern Montana. Hunters should remember that crowding will occur on easily accessible public lands, and wildlife may be visibly concentrated on private lands where access is limited. Hunters should acquire landowner permission well before hunting on private land and remember that continued access opportunities depend upon hunter behavior, ethics, and safe hunting practices. Please treat all lands—public and private—with respect, abide by land use rules from the landowner or land management agency, and be courteous with other hunters and landowners sharing the landscape.

Elk Read more

The first bear hunting period of 2026 kicks off Sept. 9 in the Upper Peninsula as thousands of bear hunters prepare to take to the field this fall.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is issuing 6,278 bear licenses for the 10 bear management units across the state in 2026. Bear hunting is allowed in the U.P and the northern half of the Lower Peninsula.

More than 72,500 people applied for a bear license or preference point this year. Licenses are awarded through an annual drawing that’s based on the number of points each hunter has earned. The number of points needed to obtain a bear license depends on the BMU and hunting period. It’s generally easier to get a bear license in the U.P. based on the higher density of bears.

Here’s more information about bear hunting in Michigan.

• Season dates
• Bait or dogs?
• Safety first
• Bear registration
• Using the whole bear
• Preventing trichinosis
• Bear patch
• Questions? Contact us

Season dates

Upper Peninsula

Here are the season dates for the three hunt periods in the Amasa, Baraga, Bergland, Carney, Gwinn and Newberry bear management units of the U.P.:

• Hunt period 1: Sept. 9 – Oct. 21.
• Hunt period 2: Sept. 14 – Oct. 26.
• Hunt period 3: Sept. 25 – Oct. 26.

Drummond Island has one hunting period this year: Sept. 9 – Oct. 21.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Season dates for the one bear hunting period in the Baldwin, Gladwin and Red Oak units of the Lower Peninsula are Sept. 12-22 and the Oct. 2-8 archery-only period.

Bait or dogs? Read more

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources annual August statewide pheasant survey averaged 23 birds per route this year, which is the second highest count in more than a decade, behind only the 2025 survey. Iowa pheasant hunters should expect to have a pretty good season. Read more

KALISPELL – Big game survival and recruitment in northwest Montana was good the last 3 winters with good recruitment in elk and deer. Winter temperatures and snow conditions were generally mild and the high harvest on wolves and lions resulted in favorable conditions for fawn and calf survival.

Four big game check stations will be open in Region 1 on weekends during the general season — Highway 2 west of Kalispell, Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 on the west end of Thompson Falls and Highway 93 near Olney. In the Libby area, there is a CWD sampling station located on the south end of Libby (mile marker 35 on Highway 2). Hunters are required to stop at game check stations. Stopping at the Libby CWD sampling station is voluntary but submission of CWD samples for testing is encouraged. Read more

As pronghorn seasons open across the West, hunters preparing for one of North America’s most challenging spot-and-stalk pursuits need equipment that is lightweight, fast and unwaveringly stable. That’s exactly why the Springbok Tripod from Spartan Precision Equipment earned the coveted NRA Publications American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award as Gear of the Year—an honor that was no accident.

The Golden Bullseye Awards recognize products that exemplify innovation, reliability and outstanding performance in the field. The Springbok Tripod distinguished itself by solving a problem every Western hunter faces: carrying a tripod that provides rock-solid stability without adding unnecessary weight.

The result wasn’t achieved by chance—it was achieved through thoughtful engineering and purpose-driven design.

Inspired by the African springbok antelope’s speed, agility, and sure-footedness, the Springbok Tripod weighs just 1.7 pounds yet delivers exceptional stability for glassing, long-range shooting, and precision rifle support. Designed for hunters who traverse miles of rugged country, it offers a maximum working height of 61 ¾” and a minimum working height of 32 ¾”, making it equally effective in any position; sitting, kneeling, or standing. Read more

HELENA – The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved the 2026-2027 wolf and furbearer hunting and trapping regulations after nearly four hours of deliberation and public comment focused almost entirely on wolf management.

For the upcoming season, which starts Sept. 5, the commission approved a total harvest quota of 300 wolves, broke down by regions. This is lower than last year’s statewide quota, but higher than the quota of 250 recommended by FWP. Last year’s quota was 452, and 247 wolves were harvested. Read more