Hunting season reaches midway point in south-central Montana with steady numbers
BILLINGS – Montana’s general big game hunting season has reached the midway point for 2025. In south-central Montana, hunter numbers and animal harvests have been consistent with last year at this point. Against long-term averages, however, there is more variability across the region’s check stations.
Over the third weekend of the general hunting season, check stations operated on Sunday only in Big Timber, Lavina and Billings. The Columbus check station operated on both Saturday and Sunday. So far this season, 2,248 hunters have visited the check stations throughout south-central Montana, down slightly from the 2,370 hunters in 2024. Though mule deer harvest remains below the long-term average, they have still been the most abundantly harvested animal in the region at 220 total so far this season. White-tailed deer have been the second most harvested animal at 162 so far this season, followed by 157 elk and 58 antelope. All harvest totals are consistent with numbers observed last year. The antelope season closed Sunday, Nov. 9.
All hunters are required to stop at game check stations, regardless of success. Check stations in Big Timber, Lavina and Billings will operate only on Sunday 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.
Big Timber Check Station
The Big Timber check station experienced an especially busy weekend for the third weekend of the general season. Hunter numbers and harvest for all species were above the long-term average for the third weekend. Hunter success was the highest it has been since 2003, at an impressive 69%.
Cumulatively for the season, hunter numbers and harvest for mule deer and antelope have been below average. Harvest for white-tailed deer and elk are running above average for the season.
Columbus Check Station
Hunter numbers reflected the warm temperatures for the Beartooth Face over the third weekend of the general season. At 167 hunters, this was the busiest weekend for the Columbus check station since 2016.
Mule deer harvest for the third weekend, at 30 animals, was higher than it has been for nearly a decade, but remained below the long-term average of 40 for the same weekend. Cumulative harvest for both deer species and antelope is below long-term average, while elk harvest is nearly double the long-term average.
Lavina Check Station
FWP staff reported that a few of the bucks that came through the Lavina check station over the third weekend appeared to be in the “rut,” indicating the deer breeding season is beginning.
Harvest for both mule and white-tailed deer over the weekend was higher than the long-term average for the weekend. Cumulatively for the season, mule deer harvest at 56 is just below the average of 62 and white-tailed deer harvest of 36 is slightly above the average of 32.
Billings Check Station
Hunter numbers and harvest for everything but antelope, both for the third weekend and cumulatively for the season, were below long-term averages at the Billings check station. Hunter success has been consistent with recent years and the long-term average.
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