Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ latest spring mule deer surveys brought some of the most encouraging news hunters have seen in years. Biologists reported increased mule deer numbers and improved fawn recruitment in both northeastern and southeastern Montana following favorable moisture conditions, good habitat growth, and relatively mild winter weather.
The strongest survey results came from Region 6 in northeast Montana. FWP’s spring aerial surveys found mule deer densities across 11 trend areas increased by 32 percent compared to 2025 and were slightly above the long-term average. Region-wide fawn recruitment was also 21 percent above the long-term average, suggesting continued population growth. Improvements were observed across much of the Havre, Malta, Glasgow and Plentywood areas, although some individual trend areas remain below historical levels.
In southeastern Montana’s Region 7, mule deer numbers also continued their upward trend. Recent surveys found strong fawn recruitment and improving deer densities across much of the region. However, biologists noted that overall populations remain about 17 percent below long-term averages despite the recent gains. Region 7 remains especially important to Montana hunters, producing roughly 30 percent of the state’s annual mule deer harvest.
The positive news from eastern Montana does not necessarily mean mule deer have fully recovered statewide. According to statewide population estimates, Montana’s mule deer herd remains well below the highs recorded several years ago. Statewide mule deer numbers were estimated at roughly 273,000 animals in 2025, up about 10 percent from 2024 but still significantly below peak levels reached in the late 2010s.
Region-by-region, the picture remains mixed:
- Region 1 (Northwest Montana): Mule deer populations are generally stable to improving after several mild winters, though deer densities remain much lower than in eastern Montana.
- Region 2 (Western Montana): Mule deer numbers are generally stable, with some districts reporting gradual improvement.
- Region 3 (Southwest Montana): Trends vary considerably by hunting district. Some areas have shown improving deer numbers while others remain below historical averages.
- Region 4 (North-Central Montana): Populations are generally stable, though conditions vary among the Missouri Breaks and prairie districts. State managers continue to monitor recovery in several hunting districts.
- Region 5 (South-Central Montana): Mule deer numbers remain below long-term objectives in many areas, although recent weather conditions have helped recruitment.
- Region 6 (Northeast Montana): One of the brightest spots in the state, with strong increases in deer densities and fawn recruitment reported this spring.
- Region 7 (Southeast Montana): Continued improvement, but populations remain below long-term averages despite several years of recovery.
Montana hunters should view the latest survey results as encouraging but not a signal that management concerns have disappeared. FWP has reduced mule deer harvest opportunities in many eastern Montana districts in recent years and continues developing long-term management strategies to rebuild herds while balancing hunter opportunity. Recent moisture and mild winters appear to be helping mule deer populations recover, particularly across the state’s prairie regions, but biologists caution that weather, habitat conditions, hunting pressure and chronic wasting disease will continue to influence herd growth in the years ahead.
Montana hunters can track mule deer seasons, regulations, hunting district information and what is open to hunt today anywhere in the state using the Hunterizer app.
Read More About Montana Mule Deer Management
Hunters interested in learning more about Montana mule deer populations, management, and recent survey results can explore the following resources:
- Northeast Montana Spring Mule Deer Survey Results (Region 6): https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2026/may/0525-recent-spring-surveys-show-increased-mule-deer-numbers-and-recruitment-in-northeast-montana
- Southeast Montana Spring Mule Deer Survey Results (Region 7): https://fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2026/may/0526-fall-moisture-mild-winter-fuel-increases-in-observed-mule-deer-across-southeast-mt
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Mule Deer Management Plan Information: https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/regulations/mule-deer-management
