Hunters who want to pursue mule deer bucks in 20 hunting districts in southwestern Montana need to apply for a special permit by June 1. All other hunting districts within the former Southwestern-8 hunting area that once required specific hunting-license validations are open to any hunter with a general Deer A license. Limited and unlimited permits are available.

While mule deer populations and buck-to-doe ratios in this region of the state continue to rebound, special permits, issued only through the annual special drawing, will be required to hunt mule deer bucks during both archery and rifle seasons in the following southwestern Montana hunting districts:

HD 202-150 permits--see page 34

HD 204-01-Unlimited-see page 34

HD 210-01-100 permits--see page 35

HD 240-01--Unlimited-see page 36

HD 250--Unlimited-see page 36

HD 261-01-25 permits--see page 37

HD 270-01-50 permits--see page 37

HD 281--Unlimited--see page 38

HD 291-200 permits--see page 39

HD 292--Unlimited--see page 39

HD 300-40 permits--see page 40

HD 312 East-125 permits-see page 41

HD 318--Unlimited-see page 43

HD 324-35 permits--see page 44

HD 335--Unlimited-see page 46

HD 339--Unlimited-see page 46

HD 343--Unlimited-see page 47

HD 380--Unlimited-see page 48

HD 391--Unlimited-see page 49

HD 392--Unlimited-see page 49

Hunters planning to hunt mule deer bucks in one of these areas must apply for one of these special hunting permits by June 1. The number of permits issued may differ from those listed above based on continuing population surveys. Hunters who receive one of these permits may not hunt antlered buck mule deer anywhere else in Montana. For more detailed information, consult page 13 and pages 34-49 of the 2000 Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations. For information call 406-444-2950. Special drawing applications for resident and nonresident hunters may be downloaded from the FWP web site at fwp.state.mt.us beginning April 1. Residents may also pick up applications at FWP license agents or FWP regional offices.