Montana will hold special chronic wasting disease (CWD) management hunts for whitetail deer across several Region 3 hunting districts. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission unanimously agreed to the special hunt based upon a high prevalence of the fatal disease within whitetail deer herds in these districts. The hope is that by targeting infected herds, it will slow the spread to mule deer, elk and moose.

What Does This Mean?

If you have a valid unused 2020 general deer license, you can use it to harvest an either-sex whitetail deer from Dec. 15 through Feb. 15, according to the agency. Further, any unused 2020 003-00, 331-00 and 399-00 deer B licenses will remain valid for antlerless whitetail deer harvest in CWD management hunt areas through mid-February. No additional licenses can be purchased; however, 003-00 deer B licenses will be sold until Jan. 15, 2021.

The CWD management hunt will be held in the following districts:

Like any hunt, please make sure you have landowner permission.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is requesting that those who participate in this special management hunt also submit samples for CWD testing. You can either follow directions provided by the agency and submit samples for testing on your own or bring your harvested deer to one of the CWD sampling stations that will be available as of Dec. 21. Please note that these stations only operate one day per week, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are located at: