Deer harvest slightly ahead of last year

The deer harvest in Northwest Montana is slightly ahead of last year at the same point in the season, according to check station results around Region 1.

Through Sunday, Nov. 23, a total of 14,194 hunters checked in game at the six Northwest Montana check stations, including 879 white-tailed deer, of which 766 were bucks, compared to 842 whitetails last year.

The hunters also checked 124 mule deer and 43 elk for an overall 7.4 percent rate of hunters with game. Harvest last year was 6.7 percent of hunters with game. Hunter numbers are down about six percent compared to last year.

The U.S. 2 check station west of Kalispell led the way in whitetail counts, followed by the Olney check station and then the Swan check station. The counts at the six check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

Biologists report that the whitetail rut is now in full swing, which should aid hunters as they take to the field during the upcoming Thanksgiving Day weekend. This past weekend, hunters brought a good number of older bucks through the check stations.

The wolf take is behind last year at this point in the general deer and elk season. Hunters have taken 22 wolves in Region 1 to date, compared to 28 last year. Statewide, hunters have taken 75 wolves, compared to 87 last year.

Hunters are reminded that it’s 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 bulls 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. The general big game season ends one half hour after sunset on Sunday, Nov. 30.