GREAT FALLS – Based on data collected at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks check station in Augusta, the overall deer and elk harvest remains above average along the southern Rocky Mountain Front as the 2024 general rifle season nears the halfway point.
Through the third Sunday and the end of the second full week of the general rifle season, a total of 309 deer and elk have come through the check station, or approximately 28 percent more than the ten-year average, and 12 percent higher than the same period in 2023. The total number of hunters checked is in line with average observations at just under 1,200 individuals. More than 26 percent of hunters stopping at the check station have been successful harvesting big game, which is 6 percent above average.
As of Nov. 10, total deer and elk harvest is evenly split with 104 mule deer, 102 white-tailed deer, and 103 elk checked by hunters. Deer harvest continues to be steady and well distributed throughout the hunting districts (HD) covered by the check station, with hunters beginning to see the first signs of deer rutting activity. Bucks comprise 53 percent of the harvest, with antlerless deer making up the remaining 47 percent. Elk harvest continues to be near average with approximately two thirds of the elk at the check station being antlerless and one third antlered bulls.
The quota for antlerless elk has been met in HD 442, which will close to all hunting of antlerless elk effective one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. HD 442 will remain open to hunting brow-tined bull elk only through the end of general rifle season on Dec. 1, and also during the heritage muzzleloader season Dec. 14 – 22.
The antlerless elk harvest quota has not yet been reached in HD 424, and that district currently remains open to antlerless elk harvest. Hunters can check with the Augusta check station at 406-562-3467 for questions and to check the antlerless quota status before leaving for their hunt.
