Plan a mule deer hunt in Montana Hunting District 215. Review season dates, license options, draw odds, and harvest data, then browse available private-land hunts and book directly from landowners.
Last updated by Aricin Rotarius
The East Deer Lodge district encompasses parts of Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, and Powell Counties. It is situated east of Interstate 90, stretching from the community of Garrison in the north to Butte in the south. The eastern third of the district is covered by Helena National Forest, extending from U.S. Highway 12 to Interstate 90. Mule deer are prevalent throughout the area. The western third is largely privately owned, although thousands of acres of public access are available through Wildlife and Block Management Areas.
September 5, 2026 – October 18, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Buck | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And Not Valid On FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid Outside National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
October 24, 2026 – November 15, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Buck | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid Outside National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And Not Valid On FWP WMAs. |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| Land: Only Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And Not Valid On FWP WMAs. |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid Outside National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer B License | Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $15.00 |
| Deer B License | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline June 1, 2026 | $80.00 |
| License | Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Deer License | Resident | Ages 18–61 | OTC | $16.00 |
| General Deer License | Resident | Disabled hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| General Deer License | Resident | Ages 12–17 and 62+; Youth and senior hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| Big Game Combination - Drawing | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $1,312.00 |
| Big Game Combination - College Student | Nonresident | College student | — | $656.00 |
| Big Game Combination - Youth (12-17) - Sponsored | Nonresident | Ages 12–17; Youth hunters; Sponsored | — | $656.00 |
| NR Big Game Combination License | Nonresident | Native | — | $656.00 |
| Deer Combination - Drawing | Nonresident | — | DrawApplication deadline April 1, 2026 | $760.00 |
| Deer Combination - College Student | Nonresident | College student | — | $380.00 |
| Deer Combination - Youth (12-17) - Sponsored | Nonresident | Ages 12–17; Youth hunters; Sponsored | — | $380.00 |
| NR Deer Combination License | Nonresident | Native | — | $380.00 |
Estimated first-choice draw odds by bonus points. Counts reflect first-choice applications and successful draws.
License Quota (2026)75
Total Applicant Count (2026)207
Total Draw Success Count (2026)74
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)161
For Montana HD 215, Deer B License 215-00 applications are due June 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents.
For Montana HD 215 in 2026, modeled first-choice draw odds for the Deer B License 215-00 with zero bonus points are 5 percent for nonresident regular applicants and 13.24 percent for resident regular applicants. These are modeled estimates, not guaranteed results.
The license or permit needed to hunt mule deer in Montana HD 215 depends on the hunt. Big Game Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Deer B License (code 215-00; resident and nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Deer Combination License (nonresident draw) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. General Deer License (resident over-the-counter) requires Base Hunting License and Conservation License. Check the current regulations for the license and hunt you plan to pursue.
Mule deer season in Montana HD 215 includes archery season from September 5 through October 18, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 15, 2026, general season from October 24 through November 29, 2026, and heritage muzzleloader season from December 12 through December 20, 2026. Check the current regulations for exact dates and license requirements.