Public Hunting Program

Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) operates a hunting program for the public, managing elk and deer populations on the MCE ranch. The program allows many opportunities for hunters to enjoy the ranch including:

• Archery
• Rifle regular (above power lines)
• Rifle damage control
• Rifle special drawing

See the Hunting Access Rules & Map and the MCE Archery Only Land Use Permit Form for more information.

Archery Hunting

MCE offers archery hunting that extends beyond the general hunting season and allows for the taking of up to three deer, either sex, and two antlerless white-tailed deer.

Permit Process Archery Hunt

1. Hunter submits permit application. Application must be accompanied by copies of:
   • Driver’s license
   • Bow endorsement/conservation/hunting license
2. Background check is conducted by MCE
3. Hunter information is entered into a database
4. Permit is printed and laminated
   • sent to the hunter or;
   • taken to checkpoint or;
   • saved at the ranch office if additional information is needed.
5. Hunter is called to notify that the permit is complete
6. Application is filed in the MCE ranch administration records

Day of the Hunt

1. Hunter checks in with checkpoint
2. Notifies checkpoint where they will be hunting and provides needed information
3. Parks in parking lot (1 – 4)
4. Hikes from area
5. A hunter can have someone drop them off at a parking area
6. If game is harvested, the hunter checks in at checkpoint
7. Hunter may receive help in retrieval

Rifle Hunting

Regular Rifle Hunting (above power lines)

No special permit is needed to hunt with a rifle on prison land that is above the power lines. A more detailed description of areas that are available for rifle hunting and parking areas to access them is found in the Hunting Access Rules & Map, provided each year by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Hunters may go to the checkpoint after harvesting game to provide information about the harvest and request game retrieval provided by ranch staff. The hunter must get the animal to a road prior to retrieval by staff.

Special Rifle Hunts

MCE has a special rifle hunt that is conducted during the general hunting season and late season (depending on FWP regulations) for youth hunters and hunters that have a late season Elk B tag for the 213 area.

There is a drawing in October at the Deer Lodge Community Center to develop the list of hunters eligible for the special rifle hunt.

Damage Control Hunts

MCE participates in damage control hunts with MT FWP. The purpose of these hunts is to reduce the number of grazing animals on the property that are damaging crops and causing excessive loss of production. These hunts occur before and/or after the general hunting season.

Hunters interested in participating in the damage control hunts must apply through MT FWP. The MCE ranch may or may not have damage control hunts. It is based on wildlife numbers and MT FWP decisions.