The number of hunters and tagged deer remains slightly ahead of last year in Northwest Montana, according to check station results from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
A total of 15,061 hunters have checked 842 white-tailed deer, including 762 bucks, at the six local check stations through Nov. 24, according to FWP. Also in the count were 116 mule deer, and 51 elk for a 6.7 percent rate of hunters with game overall, compared to a 5.5 percent success rate in 2012. Last year there were 532 bucks checked. Hunter numbers are up 8 percent as compared to last year.
The wolf hunt is also ahead of last year’s tally. Hunters have killed 28 wolves in Region One to date, compared to 19 last year. Statewide, hunters have taken 87 wolves, compared to 66 last year.
According to FWP Wildlife Biologist John Vore, the deer harvest really picked up pace because of the rut. For example, at the Swan Check Station, hunters brought through 60 whitetail bucks and at Olney, 65 bucks were checked. Both counts are well above average for that weekend.
“We saw a good number of older bucks come through this weekend,” Vore said.
The counts at the six northwest Montana check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
The big game hunting season ends Dec. 1.