Antelope harvest numbers are up, other big game and upland birds down
HAVRE–Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Havre hunter check station has been open on weekends since the beginning of antelope general and pheasant (Oct. 10-11) through the first weekend of general deer and elk and will continue through the end of general deer and elk rifle season on Nov. 29.
Through the first three weekends the check station has been open, hunter numbers are slightly above both last year and the long-term average with 755 hunters passing through the station. Weather conditions have been cooler with precipitation and muddy roads present during both the opening weekend of pheasant and antelope and the opening weekend of the general season. However, hunter participation has still been relatively high overall, possibly due to an increase in antelope licenses. Hunter numbers over the general deer and elk opener were down from the long-term average.
The 229 antelope checked so far in 2026 is slightly above last year and 10% above the long-term average. With antelope populations doing quite well in most districts, and correspondingly more tags available, hunter reports are generally positive.
Thirty-nine mule deer were checked so far, which is higher than the 2025 season, but still 36% below the long-term average. Lower harvest corresponds with low numbers of mule deer B-licenses allocated in most Hunting Districts (HDs), as well as lower mule deer populations in some districts. However, hunter reports on mule deer have been generally positive, with most hunters reporting seeing improved numbers of deer this year, which mirrors what biologists are seeing in their population surveys.
White-tailed deer brought by the check station remain well below the long-term average, with only five recorded, and hunters are reporting seeing lower numbers of white-tail. Lower harvest and numbers also parallels reductions in region-wide white-tail B-licenses due to populations being affected by an epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak last year.
Elk harvest has also been lower this year with only three elk checked, which is down from both last year and the long-term average. Low harvest corresponds with fewer elk licenses and populations in the Missouri River Breaks districts. HD 690 south of Havre, which has had higher elk populations and more available licenses, is usually not represented often at the check station.
Upland bird reports this year have been better on the western portion of Region 6 and more mixed on the eastern portion. 408 pheasants have been checked this year, which is down from last year and 22% below the long-term average. Only 48 sharp-tailed grouse have been checked, which is well below both last year and the long-term average. It has been another decent year so far for gray (Hungarian) partridge, with the 53 partridge checked being down slightly from last year but still 20% above the long-term average.
Although relatively few waterfowl typically pass through the check station, numbers were slightly above normal, with 44 ducks checked.
Hunters must stop at all game check stations
Please remember that all hunters are required by law to stop as directed at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting, even if they have no game to be checked. There is an option to have deer, elk, or moose sampled for CWD if desired. Please follow all directions and signs from FWP staff as they work diligently to check game, answer questions, and get you on your way.
Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations, and FWP wildlife staff appreciate all hunters’ cooperation in this effort. Note that the harvest data described above includes only animals that were brought through the Havre check station and is only a partial representation of the region-wide harvest.
Season reminders
Antlerless mule deer harvest in Regions 6 and 7 is allowed only on private land, including private land enrolled in block management. This includes both district-specific antlerless mule deer licenses, and the use of a general deer license where antlerless mule deer is allowed. Hunters should please check the current hunting regulations for more information and to ensure the correct license is being used.
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