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MontanaMule Deer

MT Mule Deer Unit 281

Total Acres
242,628
Public Land
81%
Wilderness
3%
Elevation
4,103–9,378 ft

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MT 281 — Tactical Analysis. Terrain & Access MT 281 spans 242,628 acres across 4,103–9,378 feet of elevation, offering diverse habitat from lower sagebrush and grassland through mixed conifer forest to high alpine. The unit's 81% public-land base provides solid opportunity for foot access without heavy private-land dependency. Terrain is mountainous and varied — lower elevations support open country glassing; higher benches and ridge systems offer classic mule deer summer range. Trophy Potential Record-book entries from the overlapping counties (Lewis and Clark and Powell) show historical strength, particularly pre-2000, when production was consistent. Recent decades have seen..

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Draw Odds — What It Took to Draw (2024)

Actual results from the 2024 draw, per hunt. Current-year odds at your point level with a paid plan →

B-Tag 00

281-00
NonresidentActual 2024 results by point level
0 pts → 0.0%1 pts → 0.0%6 pts → 100%
ResidentActual 2024 results by point level
0 pts → 8.3%5 pts → 50%

2025 & 2026 draw results are in

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Harvest Data

Historical data (2022–2024). Current-year data with a paid plan →

YearWeaponHuntersHarvestSuccess
2024062
2024013
2024016
20240264
20231011514.8%
20231,053545.1%
20231012423.8%
20231,05320219.2%
2022014
202209
2022057
20220208

Season Dates

YearWeaponDatesTag TypeSex
2026Archery — B-Tag 00Sep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026female
2026Archery — General Archery — Antlered Buck Mule DeerSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026male
2026Archery — General Archery — Either-Sex White-Tailed DeerSep 5, 2026Oct 18, 2026either
2026Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader — Antlered Buck Mule DeerDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026male
2026Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader — Either-Sex White-Tailed DeerDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026either
2026Muzzleloader — General Muzzleloader — Antlered Buck White-Tailed DeerDec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026male
2026Muzzleloader — B-Tag 00Dec 12, 2026Dec 20, 2026female
2026Rifle — General Rifle — Antlered Buck Mule DeerOct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026male
2026Rifle — B-Tag 00Oct 24, 2026Nov 29, 2026female
2026Rifle — General Rifle — Antlered Buck White-Tailed DeerOct 31, 2026Nov 29, 2026male
2026Rifle — General Rifle — Either-Sex White-Tailed DeerOct 24, 2026Oct 30, 2026either

Trophy Data

Record-Book Entries
15
Avg Score
191.6
Top Score
241
Recent (5yr)
1

Same Country, Other Species

Hunts that overlap this unit's ground.

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