General hunting season opens with variable hunter turnout, harvest in south-central Montana
BILLINGS – The 2025 big game general hunting season opened with warm temperatures and mild wind in south-central Montana. Hunter numbers varied significantly across the region, as did animal harvests.
In south-central Montana, biological game check stations operated both Saturday and Sunday of opening weekend in Big Timber, Columbus, Lavina and Billings. Hunter numbers at the Billings check station were the highest since 2021, while the Big Timber check station saw the lowest number of hunters on record for opening weekend. The Lavina check station had an average number of hunters for opening weekend, and Columbus had hunter numbers slightly below average.
A total of 1,087 hunters visited the 4 check stations in south-central Montana over the weekend. In total, FWP staff checked 51 white-tailed deer, 64 mule deer, 25 antelope and 84 elk across the 4 check stations.
All hunters are required to stop at game check stations, regardless of success. Biological check stations in Big Timber, Lavina and Billings will operate only on Sundays until closing weekend, when these stations will operate on both Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30. The Columbus check station will operate both Saturday and Sunday every weekend of the general season. Biological game check stations capture important hunter and harvest trends and help FWP with wildlife management.
Hunting regulations for deer, elk and antelope are available online here.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a 100 percent fatal disease that infects members of the deer family, including elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Sampling for CWD is voluntary in most places in Montana, but hunters and hunter-submitted CWD samples from harvested animals are critical to conservation efforts across the state and protecting our wildlife heritage.
Hunters can take CWD samples themselves, or have FWP take a sample. Find CWD Sample Station locations here. Currently, CWD test results are available to hunters in approximately six days.
Big Timber Check Station
Hunters visiting the Big Timber station experienced the highest rate of success in the region, which follows long-term trends. Hunter success was consistent with recent years, as was elk harvest. Harvest for both species of deer and antelope, however, were below average.
Columbus Check Station
Hunter numbers were lowest at the Columbus check station, which follows long-term trends. Success was higher than in recent years at 28% but remained slightly below the long-term average of 34%. Twelve harvested white-tailed deer and fifteen mule deer were checked, which is similar to recent years, but well below the long-term averages of 20 and 36, respectively. Elk harvest this year was double the long-term average of six.
Lavina Check Station
Following long-term trends, the Lavina check station was the busiest in the region over the weekend and had the lowest success rate. Harvest for all species was similar to last year over opening weekend, but varied in comparison to long-term averages. Antelope and white-tailed deer harvests were above the long-term average. Elk harvest was similar to the long-term average, while mule deer harvest was well below.
Billings Check Station
At the Billings station, hunter numbers and harvest for all species were above numbers recorded over the same weekend last year. Hunter success, at 20%, was similar to recent years. Twelve bird hunters also visited this check station, down significantly from last year’s twenty-five.
