Deer and elk harvest similar to last year

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say the deer harvest in Northwest Montana this year is about the same as last year at the same point in the season.

A total of 11,233 hunters checked 597 white-tailed deer, including 511 bucks, 108 mule deer and 38 elk at the six Northwest Montana check stations through Nov. 16 for a 6.6 percent rate of hunters with game.

Hunter numbers are down slightly as compared to last year., but the harvest is similar to last year, when 6.2 percent of hunters checked game. FWP Region 1 supervisor Jim Williams said the deer harvest should continue at a good pace.

“The cold and the rut should give an advantage to hunters over the next two weeks,” he said.

The counts at the six check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

In the North Fork, a total of 791 hunters checked in 15 whitetails, including 11 bucks, four mule deer and one elk for a 2.5 percent rate of hunters with game.

The Thompson Falls station reported the highest success rate, with 1,332 hunters checking in 58 whitetails, including 47 bucks, 12 mule deer and 15 elk for a 7.3 percent success rate.

Hunters have taken 19 wolves in Region 1 to date. Statewide, hunters have taken 66 wolves. This is a complete count of the number of wolves reported taken as of Nov. 16. The wolf take is behind last year at this same point in the season.

Hunters are reminded that it is bucks-only for whitetails in Northwest Montana. Antlerless whitetails remain legal game for youths 12-15 years of age and some qualifying 11-year olds.

Mule deer are bucks-only for the entire season. Elk are brow-tine bull only. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Region 1. Hunters should refer to the hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt.