Northwest Montana — Mainly in a 140-mile radius around Kalispell in northwestern Montana. Topography varies from rugged mountainous terrain along the Continental Divide, including the Flathead, Swan and Mission ranges, to more gentle, smaller ranges such as the Salish Mountains. Climate over these 14,659 square miles is strongly influenced by the maritime effect of moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean. Precipitation varies between 20 and 32 inches, with more than half falling as snow. Mule deer densities today are generally low across forest areas, but deer may be found on rugged ridge systems and alpine peaks.

Population objective: Maintain the population within 25 percent of the long-term average as measured by the total number of bucks harvested or the total number of deer observed during spring on areas where aerial surveys are feasible. In 2000, Northwest Montana had fawn-to-adult numbers in the range of 22 to 93 per 100 adults. A fawn count greater than 30 is one indicator for a standard hunting season.

Mountain Foothills — In southwestern Montana, west and south of Helena and west and south of Missoula, the area consists of 24,030 square miles of foothills and rugged, mountainous terrain with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 11,000 feet. Topography and elevation cause variations in local climate and weather conditions across this unit. Deer use shrub-grass covered foothills in winter and higher elevation conifer forests and sub-alpine meadows in summer. Deer must cope with long winters and a comparatively short growing season.

Population objective: Maintain the total number of deer observed during spring on population survey areas within 25 percent of the long-term average. In 2000, the Mountain Foothill habitat had fawn-to-adult numbers in the range of 23 to 76 fawns per 100 adults. A fawn count between 20 and 40 is one indicator for a standard hunting season.

Prairie/Mountain Foothill — Mainly the east Front of the Rocky Mountains and east along the Missouri Breaks, this is a transition zone with characteristics of both the Mountain/Foothill and Prairie/Breaks units. Topography varies from low, rolling hills to steep, rugged mountain canyons. Elevations range from less than 4,000 feet to over 9,000 feet near the Continental Divide. Precipitation is highly variable, ranging from 10-12 inches at lower, more arid sites to more than 40 inches in the mountains.

Population objective: Maintain the total number of deer observed during spring on population survey areas within 25 percent of the long-term average. In 2000, the Prairie/Mountain Foothill habitat had fawn-to-adult numbers in the range of 42 to 85 fawns per 100 adults. A fawn count between 30 and 45 is one indicator for a standard hunting season.

Southern Mountains — Made up mainly of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area, this is a 4,266 square mile area in south-central Montana. The topography varies from rolling hills to sheer mountain canyons thousands of feet deep. Elevations range from 4,500 feet to nearly 13,000 feet. Precipitation varies from less than six inches annual rainfall to more than 40 inches per year in the mountain environments.

Population objective: Maintain the total number of deer observed during spring on population survey areas within 30 percent of the long-term average. In 2000, the Prairie/Mountain Foothill habitat had fawn-to-adult numbers in the range of 30 to 70 fawns per 100 adults. A fawn count between 30 and 45 is one indicator of a standard hunting season.

Prairie/Breaks — Largely the eastern two-thirds (77,663 square miles) of Montana consisting of flat to rolling bench land, ponderosa pine savannahs, rugged badlands or breaks adjacent to major rivers. This habitat has a semi-arid climate with large annual fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. Mule deer populations fluctuate more here than in the mountains.

Population objective: Maintain the total number of deer observed during spring on population survey areas within the range of 20 percent above and 30 percent below the long-term average. In 2000, the Prairie/Mountain Foothill habitat had fawn-to-adult numbers in the range of 47 to 80 fawns per 100 adults. A fawn count between 30 and 60 is one indicator of a standard hunting season.