AmmoSight

Montana Deer 261-50

Deer Permit 261-50 — Antlered Buck Mule Deer in Hunting District 261, rifle only, Sep 5 – Dec 20, 2026. 62% public land, mostly National Forest.

Your odds at 0 points · 2026 draw

<1% (small sample) Point builder

0 of 6 applicants at 0 points drew

Years to draw on points: —

NR Tags
1
Applicants
51
Success
38%

First-choice nonresidents, standard draw; nonresidents capped at 10%. Success: all hunters in Hunting District 261, 2025.

Points Needed to Draw

No cut was published in enough years to chart one.

Bonus points (squared) — no cut to track: each point adds entries to the draw rather than a place in line.

What It Costs · 2026 NR Fees

Closes Apr 1 · 165 days
Cost to Apply
$852.50
If You Miss
$92.50
If You Draw
$852.50

The $5 application fee per species (deer, elk, antelope and mountain lion drawings) is not refunded. The $50 base hunting license (annual, assessed with first hunting license or application) is not refunded. The $10 conservation license (prerequisite for all licenses) is not refunded. The $7.50 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (16 and older) is not refunded. The $760 general Deer Combination license (Class B-11: deer tag + fishing + upland bird); alternative to the Big Game Combination is refunded if you miss. A bonus point bought with an application (per species; required for accumulated points to count) is $20.

Optional, not counted above: Bonus point only (no application) (July 1 - Sept 30, per species) $25.

Opens
Mar 1, 2027
Closes
Apr 1, 2027
Results
about Apr 15

Next application window: Open Mar 1 – Apr 1, 2027 (expected). Dates are last cycle's, rolled forward until Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks publishes 2027.

▸ Every Fee, With Sources
Hamilton Stevensville 261
38%hunter success 2025 · 486 hunters, 183 deer
Hunting District 261 in full →

Details

Odds by Point Level · 2026 Draw

Points Chance Applied Drew
0 ← you <1% (small sample) 6 0
1 <1% (small sample) 9 0
2 <1% (small sample) 6 0
3 <1% (small sample) 6 0
4 <1% (small sample) 5 0
5 <1% (small sample) 2 0
6 <1% (small sample) 3 0
7 <1% (small sample) 2 0
8 <1% (small sample) 3 0
9 1% (small sample) — —
10–11 2% (small sample) 2 0
12 2% (small sample) 1 0
13 3% (small sample) 2 0
14 3% (small sample) — —
15 4% (small sample) — —
16 4% (small sample) — —
17 4% (small sample) 1 0
18 5% (small sample) 1 0
19 5% (small sample) — —
20 6% (small sample) 1 0

Monte Carlo over published bonus-point pools. A dash means Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks did not publish a count for that level. As a lower choice, 261-50 drew no one in 2026, so lower-choice odds are left out.

Draw results: Montana FWP 2026 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1, retrieved Aug 31, 2026.

How It Hunted, 2025

WhoHuntersHarvestSuccess
All of Hunting District 261 486 183 38%

Across every license type in Hunting District 261, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks counted 486 hunters and 183 deer taken in 2025, and 38% of them took a deer. Montana's figures blend mandatory reporting with a phone and mail survey. FWP does not publish district-level hunter counts for elk or antelope, so success rates are missing for those. Source: Montana FWP 2025 Deer Harvest Estimates; Montana FWP 2024 Deer Harvest Estimates.

▸ Year-by-Year Numbers 21 draws

The standard draw for nonresidents, one row per year.

Year Tags Applicants Per Tag Points Needed Source
2026 1 51 51 — Montana FWP 2026 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2025 1 63 63 — Montana FWP 2025 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2024 1 71 71 — Montana FWP 2024 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2023 1 59 59 — Montana FWP 2023 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2022 1 76 76 — Montana FWP 2022 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report
2021 1 80 80 — Montana FWP 2021 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2020 1 101 101 — Montana FWP 2020 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2019 1 118 118 — Montana FWP 2019 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2018 1 166 166 — Montana FWP 2018 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2017 3 269 89.7 — Montana FWP 2017 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2016 3 217 72.3 — Montana FWP 2016 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2015 2 262 131 — Montana FWP 2015 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2014 2 155 77.5 — Montana FWP 2014 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2013 2 138 69 — Montana FWP 2013 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2012 2 98 49 — Montana FWP 2012 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2011 2 53 26.5 — Montana FWP 2011 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2010 2 50 25 — Montana FWP 2010 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2009 2 73 36.5 — Montana FWP 2009 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2008 2 40 20 — Montana FWP 2008 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2007 2 28 14 — Montana FWP 2007 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1
2006 2 29 14.5 — Montana FWP 2006 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1

Other Licenses Valid in Hunting District 261

  • 261-00 Deer B License 261-00 2 tags · 2 applied 33% (small sample)
  • 261-01 Deer B License 261-01 — Antlerless Mule Deer Sep 5 – Dec 20 · 1 tag · 8 applied 2% (small sample)

Odds at your points, nonresident, standard class where offered. * fewer than 5 tags.

▸ Legal Cartridges 23 on file for Montana deer

23 cartridges on file are legal for deer with a rifle in Montana. Rules and sources: Montana hunting laws.

.22-250 Remington from $0.98/rd .223 Remington from $0.43/rd .243 Winchester from $1.11/rd .25-06 Remington from $1.82/rd 6.5 Creedmoor from $1.01/rd 6.5 Grendel from $0.72/rd .270 Winchester from $0.15/rd 7mm-08 Remington from $1.84/rd 7mm Remington Magnum from $2.05/rd .30-06 Springfield from $1.11/rd .300 AAC Blackout from $0.60/rd .300 Winchester Magnum from $1.25/rd .30-30 Winchester from $1.08/rd .308 Winchester from $0.82/rd .338 Winchester Magnum from $2.61/rd .350 Legend from $1.12/rd .35 Whelen .360 Buckhammer .400 Legend .444 Marlin .450 Bushmaster from $2.02/rd .45-70 Government from $1.97/rd .50 Beowulf
▸ Sources 34
  1. Montana FWP 2026 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · draw results, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  2. Montana FWP 2025 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  3. Montana FWP 2024 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  4. Montana FWP 2023 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  5. Montana FWP 2022 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report earlier draws, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  6. Montana FWP 2021 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  7. Montana FWP 2020 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  8. Montana FWP 2019 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  9. Montana FWP 2018 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  10. Montana FWP 2017 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  11. Montana FWP 2016 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  12. Montana FWP 2015 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  13. Montana FWP 2014 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  14. Montana FWP 2013 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  15. Montana FWP 2012 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  16. Montana FWP 2011 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  17. Montana FWP 2010 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  18. Montana FWP 2009 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  19. Montana FWP 2008 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  20. Montana FWP 2007 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  21. Montana FWP 2006 Deer Permit Drawing Statistics Report, p. 1 · earlier draws, retrieved Sep 1, 2026
  22. Montana Legislature 2026 MCA 87-2-117 License bonus point system draw rules, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  23. Montana Legislature 2026 MCA 87-2-113 Application fees, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  24. Montana Legislature 2026 MCA 87-2-116 Base hunting license… fees, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  25. Montana FWP 2026 Hunting Requirements fees, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  26. Montana FWP 2026 Nonresident License Fees, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  27. Montana Legislature 2026 MCA 87-2-510 Class B-11 fees, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  28. Montana FWP 2026 Deer, Elk, Antelope Hunting Regulations, p. 60 · seasons, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  29. Montana FWP 2025 Deer Harvest Estimates harvest, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  30. Montana FWP 2024 Deer Harvest Estimates harvest, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  31. Montana FWP 2023 Deer Harvest Estimates harvest, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  32. Montana FWP 2022 Deer Harvest Estimates harvest, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  33. Montana FWP 2026 Deer and Elk Hunting Districts boundary, retrieved Aug 31, 2026
  34. Montana FWP 2026-2027 Deer Elk Lion Hunting District… land ownership, retrieved Aug 31, 2026

About These Numbers

Odds are from the 2026 draw, the latest on file, computed from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' published results (monte Carlo over published bonus-point pools). They are what happened in that draw, not a forecast. Under five tags a percentage carries a *, because one applicant either way swings it. A dash means the agency did not publish the number, and a date marked expected is last cycle's schedule rolled forward. How we compute these.

Report an error on this page

Every report is checked against the agency source before we change anything.

We don't take applications: check Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's site and apply there.

Prior-draw odds from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' results, not a forecast · Methodology · All Montana deer hunts