Hunters Checkstation Update: Region1–Deer and Elk Harvest Remains Slow
By angelamontana

Posted: November 4, 2013

At the six northwest Montana check stations through Sunday, November 3, a total of 5,575 hunters checked 197 white-tailed deer (162 of these were bucks), 48 mule deer, and 28 elk for a 4.7 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares to a 5.7 percent rate of hunters with game last year (see attached table). 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.

FWP Wildlife Manager Jim Williams noted that the numbers of elk and whitetail deer brought through the check stations are down from last year, while the number of mule deer is up. Williams predicted that, based on standard trends, deer and elk harvest should now pick up each weekend until the end of the hunting season.

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 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.

–Wolf harvest: Hunters are required to report a wolf harvest to FWP within 24 hours. As of today, a total of 18 wolves have been taken by hunters in northwest Montana Region One. A total of 57 wolves have been taken statewide. Wolf hunters should check the current wolf hunting regulations before heading out to the field.

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(Report by Montana FWP)

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