FWP Region 5: Mild season opener brings more hunters and success to much of south-central MT

BILLINGS – Montana’s big game general hunting season opened Saturday, Oct. 24, with mild and sunny autumn weather in south-central Montana. Hunter participation for the weekend was at or above last year’s at three of the four check stations in Region 5, while hunter success was above last year’s at all check stations.

In south-central Montana, Fish, Wildlife & Parks operated biological check stations in Big Timber, Columbus, Lavina and Billings on both Saturday, Oct. 24, and Sunday, Oct. 25. Over the weekend, 1,077 hunters visited these four check stations, which was very similar to last year’s 1,087 hunters. In total, FWP staff checked 81 harvested mule deer, compared to 64 in 2025; 78 elk, compared to 84 in 2025; 63 white-tailed deer, compared to 51 in 2025; and 41 antelope, compared to 25 in 2025. Success rates ranged from 18 percent at the Lavina check station to 35 percent at the Big Timber check station.

All hunters are required to stop at game check stations, regardless of success. Biological check stations are not intended to sample every harvested animal in an area, but rather to capture hunter and harvest trends that help FWP with wildlife management. At these check stations, FWP staff collect information on hunter participation and success, and species, sex and age class of harvested animals.

Hunting regulations for deer, elk and antelope are available online here.

Big Timber Check Station

The Big Timber check station had the highest number of harvested elk in the region at 29. This is consistent with harvests for recent years and above the long-term average. Harvests for white-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope were all above harvests from last year on opening weekend, but below long-term average.

Success rates were highest at the Big Timber check station, with 35% of hunters with game. This follows long-term trends for the region.

Columbus Check Station

Hunter numbers at the Columbus check station were nearly identical to last year, but remained below long-term average. The hunter success rate of 32% is the highest it has been since 2021.

Mule deer harvest at this check station, at 23, was the highest since 2017, but remained below the long-term average of 35 for opening weekend. Elk harvest was below last year, but consistent with the long-term average.

Lavina Check Station

Lavina saw the most hunters over opening weekend, which is consistent with long-term trends. A total of 474 hunters came through this check station over the weekend, which is above the average of 449 hunters for the weekend. Hunter success rate was also above average at 18%. Harvest for white-tailed deer and antelope were both above harvests recorded in recent years, and above long-term averages. Mule deer and elk harvest were consistent with long-term averages.

Billings Check Station

The Billings check station recorded fewer hunters this year compared to last year. Last year, 326 hunters visited the check station on opening weekend while only 241 came this year.

Hunter success was the highest it has been since 2021, with 24% of hunters with game. White-tailed deer and antelope harvests were above last year, while elk and mule deer harvests were below.

Biological check station data for opening weekend of the general big game hunting season from 2023-2026 for south-central Montana, FWP’s Region 5.

–fwp–