Plan a mule deer hunt in Montana Hunting District 502. 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
This hunt district, located in south central Montana, is almost entirely composed of private land and is a general unit for deer hunting. There are also good numbers of mule deer in this district.
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 |
| — |
| Either-sex | Archery | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Buck | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | — | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | — | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlered Buck | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | Resident: Draw Nonresident: Draw |
| — |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | Resident: OTC Nonresident: Draw |
| Eligibility: Youth Land: Only Valid On Private Land. |
| 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)150
Total Applicant Count (2026)274
Total Draw Success Count (2026)141
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)650
Applications for Deer B License 502-00 are due June 1, 2026, for residents and nonresidents. This is an antlerless license and requires a Base Hunting License and Conservation License.
For the 2026 Deer B License 502-00 draw, modeled first-choice odds at zero bonus points are 31.4% for resident regular applicants, 50% for resident landowners, and 40% for nonresident regular applicants. These percentages are estimates, not guaranteed results.
To hunt mule deer in Montana HD 502, you need a Base Hunting License, a Conservation License, and the deer license that applies to your hunt. Residents can purchase a General Deer License over the counter. Residents and nonresidents can apply for the antlerless Deer B License 502-00 by June 1, 2026. Nonresidents seeking general deer privileges can apply for a Big Game Combination or Deer Combination License by April 1, 2026. Check the current regulations for the license and hunt you plan to pursue.
Mule deer season in Montana HD 502 includes archery season from September 5–October 18, 2026, general season from October 24–November 29, and heritage muzzleloader season from December 12–20. These dates apply to both the General Deer License and Deer B License 502-00. Check the current regulations for any additional license or hunt requirements.