Urban Deer Hunting is a Thing in this Northern Montana Community

Hunting season in Montana is a big deal, with thousands of residents and non-residents alike hitting the vast outdoors of Big Sky Country to hopefully get a deer, elk, or antelope.

I don't hunt, mainly because I'm lazy and not particularly fond of deer meat. Hunters often mention the "free" meat, but let's be honest... hunting is not exactly free. Gas, travel, range time, guns, gear, taking time off, meat processing fees (unless you do it all yourself); it all comes with a cost. But what if I could hunt in town?

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Perhaps if I lived in Havre, MT, I'd give hunting a whirl this year.

The charming, Hi-Line community of approximately 9,250 people has seemingly become overrun with mule deer. As part of the City of Havre's urban deer management plan, residents can hunt deer within city limits during the 2024-25 hunting season.

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Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Region 6 shared details about the urban hunt on a recent social media post.

Isn't hunting in town dangerous?

Anyone who's taken Hunter Safety classes in Montana knows that you should never fire a gun in residential areas. This applies to hunting deer in Havre too. The urban hunt is limited to archery only (no crossbows) and a variety of stipulations apply. 

Now through February 15th, bow hunters in Havre can hunt antlerless mule deer in Havre, but ONLY in areas designated by the City. Hunters must check in with the local police department before hunting and written permission from the PD is required for each outing.

No gut piles in town.

Any antlerless mule deer harvested in town must be field-dressed outside city limits, and all entrails must be disposed of properly. Numerous other regulations are involved with the urban deer hunt in Havre. Please make sure you know the rules if you plan to participate.