MT Mule Deer Unit 426

# MT 426 Tactical Analysis ## Terrain & Access Unit 426 spans 541,385 acres across moderate to high elevation (2,363–4,206 ft) with only 26% public land. Mixed montane habitat and limited public access make hunting logistics challenging; focus on public land borders and private-land permission before applying. ## Herd Status Region 7 (eastern Montana) experienced a catastrophic 52% mule deer population collapse from 114,000 (2020) to 58,000 (2022), driven by EHD, bluetongue, and CWD. This unit likely reflects that decline. Trophy quality has suffered; expect smaller, younger bucks than historical baseline. ## Trophy Potential Fergus County (overlapping this unit) has...