Kalispell, MT — Hunters were more successful last weekend across northwest Montana as the big-game hunting season approaches its final weeks.
Activity picked up at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ five game check stations in Region 1. The number of mule deer harvested has significantly increased over last year with 64 bucks checked compared to 26 after the fourth weekend of last season. The number of reported white-tailed deer and elk remain below last year’s numbers, as well as the total number of hunters.
So far this season, 9,110 hunters have checked 436 white-tailed deer, 64 mule deer and 46 elk. The overall hunter success rate in the region this year is 6 percent, compared to 6.8 percent a year ago.
“We are starting to get reports of bucks showing rutting behavior, and we a few large bucks came through the check stations” said Neil Anderson, FWP’s Region 1 wildlife manager. “The bucks are becoming more active and we had a few hunters reporting success with rattling antlers. It’s a great time of year to be out in the woods in northwest Montana. Hopefully, sportsmen will have the opportunity to spend some time in the field.”
The counts at the hunter check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken. Hunters are required to stop at game check stations they encounter, even if they have not harvested an animal.
Montana’s general big-game hunting season ends Nov. 25.
- Hunters are reminded that mule deer buck hunting in the North Fisher portion of Hunting District 103 near Libby is permit-only.
- Hunters are encouraged to check the Montana hunting regulations for the district they plan to hunt before hitting the field.
- This year there are new regulations and carcass transport restrictions surrounding the threat of chronic wasting disease (CWD). FWP has established CWD positive areas and transport restriction zones (TRZ) in parts of the state where the disease was found. To prevent the spread of CWD, no brain or spinal column material from animals taken in positive areas are allowed outside the transport restriction zones. For information about positive areas and TRZs, visit fwp.mt.gov.
- Hunters are also reminded to properly dispose of carcasses. Once an animal with CWD dies, any part of the carcass can transmit the disease for at least two years. Safely dispose of all animal parts in solid waste landfills to help keep our local herds clean of CWD.
- Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and manage carcasses. More safety information is available on the FWP website, fwp.mt.gov. Residents can call FWP regional offices for more information. In northwest Montana, call (406) 752-5501.
REGION 1 CHECK STATION SUMMARY
Through Fourth Weekend, November 11, 2018
STATION |
NUMBER
HUNTERS |
WHITE-TAILED
DEER |
WT
Bucks |
MULE
DEER |
ELK |
%
HUNTERS
WITH GAME |
|
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
2018 |
2017 |
Hwy 2
|
3,952 |
4,506 |
182 |
255 |
102 |
149 |
34 |
6 |
12 |
22 |
5.8 |
6.3 |
Swan
|
1,328 |
1,323 |
81 |
99 |
49 |
62 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
6.3 |
8.0 |
Thompson
Falls |
1,071 |
1,057 |
30 |
60 |
21 |
24 |
10 |
1 |
17 |
20 |
5.3 |
7.7 |
Olney
|
1,612 |
1,791 |
123 |
154 |
84 |
107 |
12 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
8.7 |
9.0 |
Canoe Gulch
|
1,147 |
1,383 |
20 |
36 |
11 |
24 |
8 |
14 |
9 |
7 |
3.2 |
4.1 |
Totals
|
9,110 |
10,060 |
436 |
604 |
267 |
366 |
64 |
26 |
46 |
58 |
6.0 |
6.8 |
R-1 CHECK STATION TRENDS
Through Fourth Weekend, November 11, 2018 |
Year |
Hunter #s |
Total WTD |
WT Bucks |
Mule Deer |
Elk |
2010 |
10,474 |
399 |
318 |
87 |
79 |
2011 |
10,941 |
369 |
289 |
50 |
62 |
2012 |
10,381 |
421 |
364 |
61 |
56 |
2013 |
11,074 |
576 |
515 |
84 |
45 |
2014 |
10,442 |
582 |
500 |
104 |
37 |
2015 |
11,179 |
635 |
504 |
89 |
61 |
2016 |
10,188 |
761 |
483 |
109 |
58 |
2017 |
10,060 |
604 |
366 |
26 |
58 |
2018 |
9,110 |
436 |
267 |
64 |
46 |