KALISPELL — Montana’s general deer and elk hunting season opened last weekend with nearly 1,900 hunters stopping at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 1 check stations.
Opening weekend check station results showed a 7.4% hunter success rate, compared to 10.6% reported in 2025. Overall harvest numbers for white-tailed deer and elk were lower than last year, while mule deer buck harvest remained relatively steady.
The first weekend provides an early snapshot of hunting activity across northwest Montana, with additional check station results offering opportunities to track harvest as the season progresses. The 2026 general season runs through Nov. 29.
“Opening weekend gives us a useful look at how the season is starting across the region,” said Neil Anderson, regional wildlife manager. “We’ll continue monitoring hunter activity and harvest numbers throughout the season.”
Check stations are open on weekends during general season from 10 a.m. to approximately 1.5 hours past sunset. The northwest Montana stations are located at U.S. Highway 2 West of Kalispell, Montana Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney.
Hunters must stop at any check station they encounter whether they harvested an animal or not. The counts at the stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
The table below summarizes the opening weekend results at northwest Montana check stations.
Northwest Montana (Region 1) Hunting Season Reminders
- Hunters should plan ahead and review the regulations for each hunting district they plan to hunt. When reading the regulation booklet, make sure to review the far right column titled, “Opportunity Specific Details and/or Restrictions.”
- In Region 1, antlerless elk B-licenses are only valid on private property for the 2026/2027 season.
- All hunters planning to access SPP lands or the Flathead Ridge Ranch Block Management Area must follow new permission requirements for the 2026/2027 season. SPP lands that were previously administered under a single access system have been divided into three separate BMAs, and each area has its own access requirements. Updated BMA maps and rules are available on the FWP Block Management Website.
- Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses should be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Hunters play an important part in helping FWP learn where chronic wasting disease (CWD) is and how it spreads. When hunters have their harvested deer, elk and moose tested for CWD, they provide key insights into the effectiveness of CWD management, the disease’s prevalence and its presence.
Hunters can have their animals sampled at CWD sampling stations or most FWP offices. Hunters can also collect the samples themselves, fill out the online hunter submission form and mail the samples to the Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman. In northwest Montana, hunters can get their animals tested at the following locations:
- FWP Kalispell Office (490 North Meridian Rd), Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Libby CWD Sampling Station (MDT’s Libby Shop, 35838 US Highway 2, just south of where Big Cherry Creek crosses US Highway 2) Sat-Mon 10 a.m. to sunset
- FWP Thompson Falls Office (5427 MT-200), Mondays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For info on how to self-submit samples and a full list of CWD sampling station locations, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/chronic-wasting-disease/
There are mandatory CWD testing requirements for tags associated with CWD management near Libby and Kalispell. These licenses are only valid in the specific CWD management zone identified in the regulations. Testing is required for all animals harvested using the White-tailed Deer B License 199-20 in HDs 100, 103 and 104, the Mule Deer Permit 103-50 in HD 103 and the White-tailed Deer B License HD170-20 in HD 170
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