“The elk harvest is 26 percent below the 10-year average,” says Brent Lonner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist.
The numbers are collected at Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ check station in Augusta
“Mild weather continues to be the main factor causing reduced hunter success,” Lonner says. “The Sun River elk harvest has been very slow due to very limited migration of elk from backcountry areas to the Front foothills.”
The numbers at the Augusta check station – FWP Region 4’s sole biological check station – apply only to a handful of hunting districts on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Mule deer numbers are 5 percent below the long-term average, and white-tailed deer are right on the 10-year average.
Elk hunters so far have brought in 93 animals (56 bulls, 34 cows and three calves) compared to the 10-year average of 126 elk.
Mule deer at the check station have numbered 83 bucks and five does. The 10-year average is 92 animals.
White-tailed deer numbers this year in Augusta stand at 79 (52 bucks, 22 does and five fawns), while the 10-year average is 78.
The big game general season ends Nov. 27.
