MULE DEER CONSERVATION AREA
Mule deer populations have declined in some units due to habitat conversion to row crops and brainworm
disease. Those issues and increased demand for mule deer permits required a change to permit structure
in 2012. The Mule Deer Conservation Area comprises the Buffalo, Frenchman, Platte, Pine Ridge and
Republican deer management units.
Permit Fee
Resident: $44*
Nonresident: $292*
*Includes $7 nonrefundable application fee for draw permits
Season Dates
Firearm: Nov. 11 – 19, 2023 Archery: Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023
Muzzleloader: Dec. 1 – 31, 2023
Permit Name Quota Bag Limit Special Unit Restrictions 2022 Sell-Out Date
Buffalo MDCA 1,000 1 AD
2
, 1 AOWT Yes, see below Aug. 1, 2022
Frenchman MDCA 1,400 1 AD
2
1 AOWT Yes, see below Draw
Pine Ridge MDCA 1,200 1 AD
2
Yes, see below Draw
Platte MDCA 900 1 AD
2
, 1 AOWT Yes, see below Draw
Republican MD Buck 50 1 MD Buck Yes, see below Nov. 3, 2022
RESTRICTIONS:
• No person may obtain more than one MDCA or one Republican MD permit.
• Antlerless mule deer may not be taken on lands open to public hunting, except Open Fields and Waters
lands.
• Statewide muzzleloader and nonresident archery permits are not valid for mule deer in the MDCA.
• Statewide resident archery permits are valid for mule deer and are available all season.
• Due to high demand, Frenchman MDCA, Pine Ridge and Platte MDCA are allocated via drawing in June.
• The nonresident allocation is:
o Frenchman MDCA – 15% to nonresidents
o Platte MDCA – 15% to nonresidents
o Pine Ridge MDCA– 15% to nonresidents
• Frenchman MDCA permits: bonus antlerless tags are not valid on Enders, Swanson, Red Willow and
Medicine Creek WMA/SRA.
River Antlerless Private Land Only Unit
See table abbreviations on page 12.
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