Page 56 - Flathead Beacon // 9.7.16

OUT OF BOUNDS 57 EXPLORE 58
Outdoors
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
HEIGHTENED EXCITEMENT IS surrounding this year’s hunt- ing season now that the white- tail deer population has rebounded to a healthy level, increasing the opportuni- ties in this corner of the state.
For the rst time in several years, Mon- tana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is allowing hunters in most hunting districts to har- vest an antlerless whitetail deer during a portion of the general hunting season.
Opening day for big game hunting sea- son is Oct. 22. Archery season is already underway, kicking o another fall chase.
Hunters who purchase a general deer license can harvest an antlerless deer for the rst eight days on either public or private land, from Oct. 22-28 through- out most of Region One. Hunters can also harvest antlerless whitetail on pri- vate land excluding Weyerhaeuser, Stol- tze and Stimson lands, from Nov. 21-27.
The state is also once again holding the two-day youth-only deer hunting season from Oct. 20-21, giving families an opportunity to carry on Montana’s strong hunting tradition.
“It’s going to be a great year for begin- ning hunters and kids because we have such a strong number of whitetails this year,” FWP Region One Spokesperson John Fraley said. “People should see a lot of deer when they’re out hunting this year.”
Winter survival rates have been favor- able in recent years, helping the whitetail
population increase after severe winter mortality in 2007 and 2008.
Mule deer populations remain low in this region, but hunters who are willing to put in the time and e ort could still harvest a mature “trophy class” buck in some remote areas, according to FWP.
For hunters pursuing whitetail deer, there should be a sizeable population of bucks 3 years and older, as populations continue to rebound. Fawn recruitment is good for the sixth straight year.
The recent mild winters have contin- ued to help elk calf survival and recruit- ment. Elk populations in many areas in northwestern Montana are stable or increasing, according to FWP. Elk num- bers in backcountry hunting districts 150 and 151 appear to be holding steady. Elk numbers in the lower Clark Fork area, the region’s best elk producer, continue recent favorable trends with good calf numbers recorded during spring surveys, FWP says. Adult bull numbers observed in surveys appear to be stable in many areas and should provide good hunting opportunities for the 2016 season.
In Region One, Weyerhaeuser has taken ownership of former Plum Creek lands and have agreed to continue Plum Creek’s block management agreement, allowing hunters to access the land for free. However, hunters are encouraged to read the regulations for hunting on Weyerhaeuser lands. Information can be picked up at FWP’s Kalispell o ce.
The age-old tradition of hunting remains rmly intact and is inextricably tied to Montana’s identity. Last year FWP sold 433,538 licenses to resident hunt- ers, and 57,887 licenses to non-residents for all big game hunting. In Region One, hunters harvested 11,956 deer.
“People get so excited about hunting season. It really is a part of our values in Montana to get out in the woods and enjoy ourselves,” Montana Gov. Steve Bullock
said. “It’s something that is important for us as Montanans. These are family tra- ditions. We also want to make sure that our kids are getting out in the woods and enjoying what that is and really under- stand the ethics of hunting, too.”
Bullock also noted the importance of hunting to Montana’s economy, which is part of a larger $6 billion outdoor recre- ation industry.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
Hunting Season Arrives with Excitement, Abundant Whitetail Population Opening day for general
hunting season is Oct. 22
BY DILLON TABISH
2016 BIG GAME SEASONS
ANTELOPE
900 series Archery General
BIGHORN SHEEP
Archery General
BLACK BEAR
Spring
Fall archery Fall
DEER & ELK Archery
Youth, deer-only General
Moose
Aug. 5-Nov. 13 Sept. 3-Oct. 7 Oct. 8-Nov. 13
Sept. 3-Sept. 14 Sept. 15-Nov. 27
May 31-June 15 Sept. 3-Sept. 14 Sept. 15-Nov. 27
Sept. 3-Oct. 16 Oct. 20-Oct. 21 Oct. 22-Nov. 27 Sept. 15-Nov. 27
MOUNTAIN LION
Archery Fall Winter
WOLF
Archery General Trappling
UPLAND BIRDS
Mountain grouse Partridge
Pheasant
Sage Grouse Sharp-tailed Grouse Turkey
Sept. 3-Oct. 16 Oct. 22-Nov. 27 Dec. 1-April 14
Sept. 3-Sept. 14 Sept. 15-March 15 Dec. 15-Feb. 28
Sept. 1-Jan. 1 Sept. 1-Jan. 1 Oct. 8-Jan. 1 Sept. 1-Sept. 30 Sept. 1-Jan. 1 Sept. 1-Jan. 1
56
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM