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. Whitetails 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Archery | OTC |
| Land: Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
| Either-sex | Archery | — |
| — |
October 24, 2026 – November 29, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | OTC |
| Land: Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
| Either-sex | — | — |
| — |
November 30, 2026 – January 1, 2027
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | — | OTC |
| Land: Only Valid On Private Lands Outside The National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
December 12, 2026 – December 20, 2026
| Opportunity | Method | Availability | License or Permit | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless | Muzzleloader | OTC |
| Land: Valid Outside The National Forest Boundary And NOT Valid On FWP WMAs Or BLM Lands. |
| Either-sex | Muzzleloader | — |
| — |
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Ages 12–17, 18–61, and 62+; Youth, senior, and disabled hunters | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $10.00 |
| Nonresident | Native | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $37.50 |
| Nonresident | — | OTCAvailable June 15, 2026 | $75.00 |
| Residency | Eligibility | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Disabled hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| Resident | Ages 12–17 and 62+; Youth and senior hunters | OTC | $8.00 |
| Resident | Ages 18–61 | OTC | $16.00 |
Hunter and success statistics include reported years only.
Latest Estimated Harvest (2025)126