BOZEMAN — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has immediately extended the general white-tailed deer hunting season in parts of southwestern Montana after a recent spike in chronic wasting disease detections around the greater Bozeman area.
According to FWP biologists, nine CWD cases were confirmed during the most recent hunting season, a sharp increase from the zero to two cases recorded annually between 2020 and 2024. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in the area to 14. Despite the disease concerns, white-tailed deer numbers remain high, with some urban areas supporting densities of more than 60 deer per square mile.
FWP says the season extension is intended to lower local deer densities to help slow the spread and long-term impacts of CWD. Harvested deer also provide critical data, as hunter-submitted samples allow wildlife managers to better track disease prevalence.
“Lowering deer numbers in targeted areas is one of the most effective ways to limit CWD spread,” said Region 3 wildlife manager Warren Hansen. “Taking action early helps protect mule deer and elk from possible transmission and supports the overall health of the deer herd.”
Wildlife staff will continue monitoring CWD through testing efforts, while also tracking white-tailed deer populations using harvest surveys, urban counts, vehicle collision data, and reports of game damage.
Extended season details.
The season extension runs through Feb. 15, 2026, and applies to all of Hunting District 309 and portions of HDs 301, 304, 311 and 312, mainly along the Gallatin River corridor where white-tailed deer are most concentrated.
Hunters may take either-sex white-tailed deer with a General Deer License and antlerless deer with valid Region 3 antlerless Deer B licenses. The 003-00 and 398-00 Antlerless White-tailed Deer B licenses are valid for the extended season and remain available for purchase.
Hunters should note that HD 309 is a weapons-restricted district, and all existing weapon limitations remain in effect. All other general season rules also continue to apply.
Public hunting access within the extended area is limited, and no Block Management Areas are currently enrolled. Hunters must secure landowner permission before hunting private property.
FWP strongly encourages hunters participating in the extended season to submit samples for CWD testing. Samples collected by hunters can be dropped off at the FWP Bozeman office at 1400 S. 19th Ave. during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Starting Jan. 3, FWP technicians will also be available weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bozeman office to assist with sample collection. Hunters seeking assistance should bring the unfrozen head of the harvested deer with several inches of neck attached.
Additional information on chronic wasting disease in Montana is available through FWP.
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Source of the article: https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2025/12/fwp-extends-white-tailed-deer-hunting-season-near-bozeman-due-to-recent-cwd-detections/
