Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported that northwest Montana’s big-game forecast is basically Mother Nature saying, “Not bad, everybody.”
After three relatively easy winters—and heavier harvests of wolves and mountain lions—young elk and deer have been getting a better shot at survival. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says hunters should generally find herds holding steady or improving this fall.
Elk are trending modestly upward in several areas. The Clark Fork drainage recorded 32 calves per 100 cows, while the Bob Marshall reached 27—better recruitment, though elk numbers there remain low. The short version: expect elk hunting to be “similar to slightly better than last year.”
White-tailed deer appear to be having the best glow-up. Spring surveys counted between 29 and 54 fawns per 100 adults, and buck harvest has been stable or rising for four years. FWP also expects more mature bucks—those over three years old—to be wandering the woods this season.
Mule deer are likewise benefiting from the mild winter, with 41 fawns per 100 adults in the Fisher River area and 39 in the Galton Range. Populations should be “stable to slightly increasing,” although buck numbers will probably resemble last year’s. Region 1 remains bucks-only, with no antlerless mule deer harvest, and certain areas require permits and CWD testing.
Moose are the forecast’s more subdued chapter. Their population appears stable but remains “below historic highs.” Talley Lake’s license allocation dropped from 10 to eight because harvest rates have declined.
A little required reading before hitting the woods: hunters must stop at Region 1 game-check stations. The Libby CWD sampling station is voluntary for most hunters, but testing is mandatory for certain licenses and permits. Check the regulations before heading out—because “I skimmed the forecast” is unlikely to charm a game warden.
Editor’s note: Corrected a duplicated phrase; the sentence now reads 'heavier harvests of wolves and mountain lions.'
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