MISSOULA – After the first two weekends of big game season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunter check stations near Anaconda, Bonner and Darby in west-central Montana are collectively reporting elk and deer harvest totals and hunter numbers on par with this point in the 2024 season.
Overall, west-central Montana’s three regularly held wildlife check stations saw 3,897 hunter stops collectively during the first two weekends of the season, compared to 4,008 during the same period last year. Those hunters checked 151 elk, compared to 154 last year. They also reported 51 mule deer, compared to 45 in 2024 and 123 white-tailed deer, compared to 134.
The weather was unseasonably mild during the start to the second weekend of the season, with no snow accumulations in the higher elevations. Valley temperatures were in the upper 60s in many parts of the region on Saturday, turning colder on Sunday.
FWP uses data from US Department of Agriculture Snotel Sites to track high elevation snow depth trends during hunting season. On opening weekend those sites each had three to four inches of snow, and by the close of the second weekend of the season, all sites reported the same or less snow.
“Total hunters and total harvest reported at the Bonner check station slowed slightly from opening weekend, which is typical after the opener and before the deer rut begins,” said Lee Tafelmeyer, FWP biologist in the Blackfoot Valley. “We talked to many hunters that reported seeing deer and elk in the woods and enjoyed their hunts over the weekend. We were busy checking animals, and we appreciate the help of all the University of Montana student volunteers that help collect wildlife data each weekend.”
The station near Darby reported the same trend of a slower second weekend as hunters wait for the deer rut, colder temperatures, and more snow to help bump harvest. The station also reported checking a few nice mule deer bucks out of Bitterroot Hunting District 270.
CWD sampling locations
Hunters can help with chronic wasting disease (CWD) management by submitting samples from harvested deer, elk, and moose for testing. In west-central Montana, the wildlife check stations near Bonner, Darby and Anaconda are all collecting CWD samples, as well as specific CWD sampling locations in Drummond (Friday 10am-2pm; Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10a.m.-dark), and at the Missoula FWP office (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5p.m.). For a complete list of stations and hours across the state, visit fwp.mt.gov/cwd. Hunter can also take samples themselves and mail them to the wildlife lab for testing.
Although CWD testing is voluntary, samples from hunter-harvested deer, elk and moose are critical to FWP’s understanding of this fatal disease. Most big game hunting districts around west-central Montana are Priority Surveillance Areas for CWD, which are areas where FWP is making a concerted effort to gather more samples. All sampling is offered for free to hunters. Hunters play a key role in understanding CWD by providing data and in minimizing the spread by disposing of wildlife parts properly. Read more: fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
All hunters must stop at check stations
FWP reminds hunters they must stop at all wildlife check stations that they pass, even if they have not harvested any animals. Although wildlife check stations sample a relatively small portion of the overall effort and harvest, they capture important trends and biological information, and by stopping you are helping with wildlife management in Montana.
For more hunting season reminders and to track hunter success, stay tuned to the FWP weekly check station reports over the next four weeks. The general big game season runs through Sunday, Nov. 30.
-fwp-
