Heading into the final days of Montana’s big game general season, harvest numbers for elk and white-tailed deer remain above the 10-year average on the Rocky Mountain Front, while mule deer numbers are slightly below the long-term average.
“Elk harvest has slowed down, but is still 12 percent above the 10-year average,” said Brent Lonner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist. “Bull elk harvest is the reason for the above average total elk harvest. Thus far, bull harvest is 34 percent above the 10-year average.”
The numbers were collected at FWP’s Augusta check station– the department’s sole Region 4 biological check station – and apply only to a handful of hunting districts on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Elk hunters so far this year have brought in 275 animals (159 bulls, 92 cows and 24 calves) compared to the 10-year average of 242 elk.
Mule deer at the check station have numbered 186 (175 bucks, 10 does and one fawn). The 10-year average is 215 animals.
White-tailed deer numbers stand at 217 (137 bucks, 64 does and 16 fawns), while the 10-year average is 196.
The general deer and elk season runs through Nov. 26.
