Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Fall-Winter 2015 Elk, Deer, Antelope Hunting Outlook

ANTELOPE

Montana antelope populations are continuing to recover and grow from previous years’ winter kills and low fawn numbers in central and eastern Montana.

This year, there are even a few more special licenses available reflecting that improving status.

Successful antelope-license applicants may recognize increased fawn production in many areas as populations respond to this year’s favorable weather and habitat conditions.

Montana’s antelope archery season will close Oct. 9. The general rifle season for antelope will run Oct. 10-Nov. 8.

Here’s a regional rundown on what antelope hunters can expect this year.

Region 2 — Western Montana

Pronghorn distribution is centered in the Deer Lodge area and few licenses are issued to conserve this island population.

Region 3 — Southwestern Montana

In the southwestern part of the region, near Dillon, antelope numbers are stable to increasing following two mild winters and good summer growing conditions.

Region 4 — Central Montana

Antelope numbers are still recovering from recent harsh winters and spotty fatalities caused by past late-summer and short-lived hemorrhagic viruses brought on by biting insects. For hunters, this is once again reflected in FWP issuing fewer doe-fawn tags.

Region 5 — South Central Montana

Antelope populations in the northwestern hunting districts of Region 5 are improving and fawn numbers are increasing compared to the past several years.

Region 6 — Northeastern Montana

Antelope numbers are still below long-term averages here but are continuing to rebound. Although license numbers remain low, hunters lucky enough to draw a tag should have good success in filling it.

Region 7 — Southeastern Montana

Antelope populations are rebounding throughout the region. Summer production surveys indicate numbers are 25 percent higher than last year, but still 23 percent below the long-term average. As numbers continue to be best in the region’s southern portion, FWP recommends that hunters head in that direction for antelope this fall.

DEER

Hunters who witnessed a drop in mule deer numbers in many areas of Montana a few years ago will see improving populations this year as favorable weather and habitat conditions kicked in in 2014 and 2015.

Additionally, in many areas of the state, fawn recruitment has been excellent and populations are doing well.

Region 1 — Northwestern Montana

Mule deer populations remain low, but among those hunters willing to put in the time and effort, it’s clearly possible to still harvest a mature “trophy class” buck in some remote areas.

Region 2 — Western Montana

White-tailed deer are common and numbers remain stable to increasing across most of the region, but mule deer numbers still remain low. FWP has restricted hunting opportunities for antlerless deer to speed population increases in both species.

Region 4 — Central Montana

Mule deer populations are starting to increase but are still below long-term averages.

Region 5 — South Central Montana

Mule deer numbers throughout south central Montana are stable or up slightly from last year, though they remain well below the long-term average.

Region 6 — Northeastern Montana

Mule deer numbers are at or above long-term averages in the eastern half of the region and at or below long-term averages in the western half. In general, mule deer hunters can expect to see more mule deer as compared to recent years.

Region 7 — Southeastern Montana

Spring trend surveys show that mule deer populations are up a healthy 20 percent from last year and are currently 16 percent above the long-term average.

ELK

These are good times for elk hunters as Montana elk populations continue to be strong across most of the state.

Region 1 — Northwestern Montana

Several mild winters have helped with elk calf survival and recruitment. Elk populations in many areas in northwestern Montana, where steep terrain and heavy forest cover pose considerable challenges to hunters, are stable to increasing.

Region 2 — Western Montana

Elk numbers are generally above the long-term average, with notably lower levels on public lands located west of Missoula and south through the Bitterroot Mountains.

Region 3 — Southwestern Montana

Hunting opportunities are good for those interested in hunting away from open roads with better opportunities in the Gravelly Elk Management Unit (hunting districts 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, and 330) versus the Tobacco Root EMU (hunting districts 320 and 333).

Region 4 — Central Montana

Elk populations are in fine shape. The challenge for hunters in areas along the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or in the Missouri River Breaks will be obtaining access.

Regions 5 — South Central Montana

Elk numbers along the Beartooth Face and in the Crazy Mountains, Big Snowy Mountains, Bull Mountains and southeastern Belt Mountains remain near all-time highs.

Region 6 — Northeastern Montana

Elk numbers remain at or above management objectives in most hunting districts. All elk hunting in the Bears Paw Mountains and the Missouri River Breaks is by special permits awarded via the annual drawing.

Region 7 — Southeastern Montana

When hunters think of classic elk hunting country, the plains of southeastern Montana seldom come to mind. And yet there is the region’s storied Missouri Breaks, where elk numbers continue to increase beyond FWP’s management objectives in all hunting districts.

For more information, please visit fwp.mt.gov and click "Hunting."

 

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