More hunters have chased game in Northwest Montana this fall compared to last year, according to check station results
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say hunter numbers are up roughly 7 percent this year.
A total of 8,634 hunters have checked 442 whitetail deer — 335 bucks — as well as 61 mule deer and 55 elk for a 6.5 percent rate of hunters with game, the same percentage as last year.
The number of whitetail bucks and mule deer bucks checked is down slightly from last year, while elk numbers are up, FWP says.
Wildlife Manager Neil Anderson noted that strong numbers of younger bucks continue to show up at the check stations.
“We anticipate seeing the older bucks come through check stations over the next few weekends,” he said.
The general rifle hunting season for elk and deer runs through Nov. 29.
Hunters have taken 20 wolves in Region One since Nov. 9, compared to 13 last year at this point in the season. Statewide, hunters have taken 61 wolves, compared to 54 last year.
Hunters are reminded that it is buck-only for whitetails in Northwest Montana. Antlerless whitetails remain legal game for youth 12-15 years of age (and some qualifying 10- and 11-year-olds, see regulations). Mule deer are buck-only for the entire season. Elk are brow-tine bull only. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Region One. Hunters should refer to the hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt.
