Deer and elk harvest steady in northwest Montana

Over the last week, hunters checked in 180 white-tailed deer, 164 of which were bucks, 37 mule deer, and nine elk at the six northwest Montana check stations.

Last week’s totals were 11,094 hunters checked 425 white-tailed deer, 368 of which were bucks, 64 mule deer, and 58 elk for a 4.9 percent rate of hunters with game at the six northwest Montana check stations through, Nov. 11. Harvest was up as compared to last year when 4.2 percent of hunters checked game for that week. The number of whitetail bucks checked was up 25 percent, mule deer numbers were up 23 percent, and elk was down nine percent as compared to last year’s check station results at the same point in the season. Hunter numbers were down six percent.

As of Nov. 18, a total of 13,976 hunters checked 605 white-tailed deer, 532 of these were bucks, 101 mule deer, and 67 elk for a 5.5 percent rate of hunters with game. Harvest was up slightly as compared to last year when 5.1 percent of hunters checked game. The number of whitetail bucks checked is up eight percent, mule deer numbers are up 40 percent, and elk are down 23 percent as compared to last year’s check station results at the same point in the season. Hunter numbers are down seven percent.

The counts at the six northwest Montana check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

Hunters had taken 17 wolves in Region One as of Nov. 11 and two more were added to that total as of Nov. 18, bringing the total up to 19. Statewide, hunters had taken 55 wolves as of Nov. 11 and that number has increased to 66 as of Nov. 18.

Hunters in northwest Montana are limited to buck-only for whitetails. Antlerless whitetails remain legal game for youth 12-15 years of age and some qualifying 11-year olds. Mule deer are buck-only for the entire season. Elk are brow-tine bull only. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Region One. Hunters should refer to the hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt.

Deer and elk harvest in northwest Montana is slightly ahead of last year, according to check station results around Region One.