Elk hunters off to strong start

More hunters are having success in northwest Montana so far this season.

At the six northwest Montana check stations through Sunday, Nov. 1, a total of 5,599 hunters checked 328 white-tailed deer (243 of these were bucks), 38 mule deer, and 35 elk for a 7.2 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares to a 6.3 percent success rate last year.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife manager Neil Anderson notes that the number of whitetail deer brought through the check stations is up about 42 percent from last year and the number of elk is almost double. The number of mule deer, however, is down about 30 percent.

Hunters are reminded that it is buck-only for white-tails in northwest Montana. Antlerless white-tails remain legal game for youth 12-15 years of age. Mule deer are buck-only for the entire season. Elk are brow-tine bull only, unless you have an antlerless elk license. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Region One.

As of Nov. 2, a total of 16 wolves have been taken by hunters in northwest Montana compared to 13 at this time last year. A total of 50 wolves have been harvested statewide compared to 48 this time last year. The quota in wolf district 110 has been reached and that district is now closed. Wolf hunters should check the current wolf hunting regulations before heading out to the field.