HAVRE- The results are in from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Havre check station for the 2025 hunting season. The check station was open for eight weekends from Oct. 11 (the opener of general antelope and pheasant) through Nov. 30 (the end of the deer/elk general season). Overall, hunter numbers were about the same as last year and the long-term average. Except for antelope, big game numbers were well below average, and upland bird harvest was mixed.
Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations. FWP appreciates all hunters’ cooperation in this effort. Note that the harvest data described below includes only animals that were brought through the Havre check station and represents a real-time partial representation of the region-wide harvest. FWP subsequently conducts a telephone survey throughout the winter to estimate hunting and harvest levels throughout the region and across the state.
Hunter numbers that stopped at the check station (1,681) were up 1% from 2024, and 5% below the long-term average, but were notably distributed differently across the hunting seasons.
“Hunter numbers at the check station were up 27% at the beginning of the season after antelope and pheasant season opened, but down 15% during the general deer and elk season,” noted Havre-area biologist Scott Hemmer, who manages the station. “Most notably, deer hunter numbers were down 11% from last year and 14% below the long-term average.”
Mule deer brought by the check station totaled 346 for the year, which was down 6% from last year and 35% below the long-term average, and the lowest seen since 2015. Mule deer doe harvest was down the most at 66% below the average, while buck harvest was 23% below average.
“Reduced mule deer doe harvest was expected again this year with fewer antlerless mule deer licenses issued and restrictions on antlerless mule deer harvest on public land,” added Hemmer. “However, there were quite a few reports of hunters seeing better numbers of antlerless mule deer and younger mule deer bucks, but fewer mature bucks.”
For the year, 67 white-tailed deer were brought by the station, which was 43% lower than 2024, and 56% below the long-term average.
“The lower white-tailed deer numbers recorded this year were expected due to the epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak along the Milk River and subsequent reductions in antlerless white-tailed deer B licenses,” said Hemmer, “and understandably, hunters reported seeing fewer white-tailed deer this year.”
The number of antelope checked, whose general season ended on Nov. 9, saw a big increase from 2024 (up 55%), and only 3% below the long-term average. 232 antelope were brought by the check station this year.
“Most antelope hunters reported improved numbers of antelope seen compared to recent years,” said Hemmer, “and this was our largest number checked since 2010.”
For the year, 26 elk were recorded, which is 37% above last year but 31% below the long-term average. Below average elk numbers, particularly from Missouri Breaks hunting districts, was expected again this year due to reductions in antlerless elk licenses issued for those districts in response to below objective elk populations.
For the eight weeks that the check station was open, the pheasant harvest of 639 birds was down 11% from last year, and 14% below the long-term average. Sharp-tailed grouse (126 birds) harvest was about the same as last year and the long-term average. Gray (Hungarian) partridge harvest (89) was 11% below 2024, but still well above the long-term average.
“Reports from the western half of the region generally indicated better upland bird numbers than the past several years,” noted Hemmer. “Reports from the eastern half of the region indicated numbers were down from the last couple years.”
Duck harvest (36) was down from last year and the long-term average.
FWP Region 6 thanks all hunters for stopping by the check station.
“Overall, it appeared a lot of hunters were able to make it out into the field this fall,” said Hemmer. “We sure appreciate and enjoy visiting with the hunters that come by the check station, and it’s great to hear stories about a successful hunt. Thanks for stopping by!”
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Photo: rpbirdman from Getty Images Signature
