FWP: Hunting opener was slow

It was slow opener for area hunters. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials, a total of 2,900 hunters checked 85 white-tailed deer — 66 of these were bucks — 16 mule deer, and 17 elk for a 4.1 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares with a 5.5 percent rate of hunters with game last year at the check stations.

But wildlife managers say the season is just getting started.

“Whitetail buck harvest will pick up as the season progresses,” Jim Williams, FWP region 1 manager said. “The hunting season stretches to Dec. 1 this year, so we are just getting started.”

Locally, the number of hunters was up. At the North Fork check station, 203 hunters checked in six deer and three of them were bucks. Last year there were 188 hunters checked in, and not one had a deer the first weekend.

This opening weekend had bluebird skies on Saturday, but fierce winds on Sunday, as a cold front blew through. Hunting success usually picks up once there is tracking snow on the ground, and while Sunday’s storm promised snow, none fell in the valley locations in the Flathead.

Hunters are reminded that regulations for whitetails and mule deer in Region One are buck-only through the end of the hunting season. Youth 12-15 (and some qualifying 11-year- olds, see the regulations) can take antlerless whitetail deer. Elk hunting is brow-tined bull only. Spike elk are not legal game. These regulations apply in most Region One hunting districts. Check the Montana hunting regulations for the district you plan to hunt.