Hunting season saw success in Northwest Montana
Austin Takas with his first deer harvested. (FWP photo)
Montana's general deer and elk hunting season concluded last weekend and the overall harvest results at game check stations in Northwest Montana showed increased success compared to last year.
More than 10,800 hunters stopped at regional check stations this season, and approximately 10% of them had successfully harvested game, compared to 9% a year ago.
A total of 954 white-tailed deer, including 745 bucks, were reported at the four weekend check stations. Last year hunters checked 761 white-tailed deer, including 567 bucks. Check station results showed a slightly smaller mule deer harvest with 92 deer checked this year compared to 97 a year ago. The elk harvest was slightly above last year with 62 harvested this year compared to 51 a year ago.
Hunters still have opportunities into winter. Certain areas have continued elk hunting opportunities and there is also Montana’s Muzzleloader Heritage season for deer and elk, Dec. 14-22.
As the season wraps up, Montana hunters can thank landowners for access and share stories through an online portal. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering this opportunity to say thank you to landowners who have provided access and helped to make your hunting season great. FWP will collect these expressions of gratitude and share them with the specific landowners at the end of the season. Notes can be submitted online at surveymonkey.com/r/thank-a-landowner-2024.