Hunting numbers remain strong near Olney

Hunters in northwest Montana continue to have limited success thus far this season.

At the six check stations through Sunday, a total of 5,575 hunters checked 197 white-tailed deer (162 of these were bucks), 48 mule deer, and 28 elk for a 4.7 percent rate of hunters with game.

This compares to a 5.7 percent rate of hunters with game last year.

Hunters near Olney continue to buck the trend and show some of the best results with a 7.7 percent success rate through Nov. 3. At the Olney station, 788 hunters have taken 54 whitetailed deer of which 48 were bucks. Four elk have been checked at the Olney station.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife manager Jim Williams noted that the number of elk and whitetail deer brought through the check stations are down from last year, while the number of mule deer is up. Williams predicted that, based on standard trends, deer and elk harvest should now pick up each weekend until the end of the hunting season.

Hunters are reminded that it is buck-only for whitetails in northwest Montana. 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.

 A total of 18 wolves have been taken by hunters in northwest Montana Region One. Statewide, 57 wolves have been taken.