Elk Population Report Positive in Northeast Montana
By Jackalope Jordan

Posted: May 25, 2018

The elk populations in northeast look solid this spring according to a recent report from Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The Ravalli Republic reported elk populations in the Bear Paw Mountains are up this year, though numbers are down in the Missouri Breaks according to aerial surveys. The Breaks portions included in the report are located in hunting districts 621, 622, 631, and 632.

Overall, FWP counted calf numbers that were about average. The figure indicates the harsh winter this year didn’t cause worse than normal calf mortality rates, according to FWP.

The survey counted 1,632 elk counted in the Missouri Breaks hunting districts, about a third lower than the last count taken in 2016. The news wasn’t all bad for hunters who drew a permit for these districts however. The Ravalli Republic reported an above average bull to cow ratio in the survey.

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