MONTANA HUNTING REGS
Built from FWP's 2026–27 regulations. FWP's regulations are the legal authority — verify at fwp.mt.gov.
Home › Hunting districts › Region 2 › HD 262
Montana deer & elk hunting district · 2026–27

HD 262 — Bitterroot Farmlands

FWP Region 2 (West-central) · Ravalli County. Every deer and elk license, season and restriction FWP lists for this district, from the 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations (p. 65, 66).

Check what's legal for you in HD 262 →Ducks, birds & shooting hours here
General season
Oct 19 – Nov 29
Archery only
Sep 5 – Oct 18
FWP region
2 · West-central
County
Ravalli

Check before you hunt here

Private land-access may be difficult.

Deer in HD 262

LicenseLegal animalHow to get itSeasonsRestrictions
General Deer LicenseAntlerless Mule DeerOTC (general license)
  • Early Aug 15 – Sep 4
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 19 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 15
ArchEquip only.
p. 65
General Deer LicenseEither-sex White-tailed DeerOTC (general license)
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
—
p. 65
Deer B License 260-01Antlerless White-tailed DeerOTC: Jun 15
Quota UNL
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 19 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 15
ArchEquip only. Hunters may purchase up to three 260-01 antlerless white-tailed deer B licenses per hunter. Only valid in HDs 201 east of Hwy 93, 204, 240, 260, 261, 262, and 270.
Only valid in HDs 201 east of Hwy 93, 204, 240, 260, 261, 262, and 270
p. 65
Deer B License 262-00Antlerless Mule DeerJun 1
Quota 100
  • Early Aug 15 – Sep 4
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 15
ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow only. Only valid on private land.
p. 65
Deer B License 262-00Antlerless Mule DeerJun 1
Quota 100
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
Only valid on private land.
p. 65
Deer B License 262-02Antlerless White-tailed DeerOTC: Jun 15
Quota UNL
  • Early Aug 15 – Sep 4
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 15
ArchEquip, shotgun, traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or crossbow only. Up to three 262- 02 Deer B Licenses per hunter.
p. 65
Deer B License 262-02Antlerless White-tailed DeerOTC: Jun 15
Quota UNL
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
Up to three 262-02 Deer B Licenses per hunter.
p. 65
Deer Permit 262-51Antlered Buck Mule DeerApril 1
Quota 20
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD.
p. 65
Deer Permit 262-52Antlered Buck Mule DeerApril 1
Quota 10
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
Only youth ages 12-15. Permit must be used with a valid General Deer License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Buck Mule Deer in any other HD.
p. 65

Elk in HD 262

LicenseLegal animalHow to get itSeasonsRestrictions
General Elk LicenseAntlerless ElkOTC (general license)
  • Early Aug 15 – Sep 4
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 19 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Feb 15
ArchEquip only.
p. 66
General Elk LicenseBrow-tined Bull ElkOTC (general license)
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 19 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 15
ArchEquip only.
p. 66
General Elk LicenseAntlerless ElkOTC (general license)
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
Only youth ages 12-15 and hunters with a PTHFV. Resident hunters 75 years old and older may harvest an antlerless elk on private land.
p. 66
Elk B License 262-01Antlerless ElkOTC: Jun 15
Quota UNL
  • Early Aug 15 – Sep 4
  • Archery only Sep 5 – Oct 18
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Late Nov 30 – Jan 8
One per hunter. Only valid on private lands in HDs 204, 261, 262, and 270. Must purchase before start of general rifle season. Restrictions apply, season dates may vary, see each HD for more info.
p. 66
Elk Permit 262-45Brow-tined Bull ElkApril 1
Quota 20
  • General Oct 24 – Nov 29
  • Heritage muzzleloader Dec 12 – Dec 20
Only valid on private land. Permit must be used with a valid General Elk License. Holders may not hunt Antlered Bull Elk in any other HDs during this described season.
p. 66

Shooting hours

Legal hunting hours for deer and elk are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, using FWP's official sunrise-sunset table for your county's zone. See today's hours for HD 262.

Hunting district boundaries are drawn from FWP's map layer and simplified for the web. Near a boundary, use the legal description in the regulations. Restricted areas, block management and private land rules still apply.

Source: Montana FWP 2026 Deer, Elk & Antelope Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027. Last checked against the booklet 2026-10-30. FWP can change seasons and quotas during the year; always confirm at fwp.mt.gov.