Slow start for area hunters

Opening weekend of the big game hunting season was a bit slower than last year, judging from results at the six Northwest Montana game check stations.

A total of 3,174 hunters stopped with 114 whitetail deer, 14 mule deer and 22 elk for a 4.7 percent rate of hunters with game. During last year’s opening weekend, the success percentage was 6.1 percent.

Of note with this year’s restored Montana wolf hunt, two wolves were brought to the U.S. 2 check station west of Kalispell and one was brought to the Thompson Falls check station.

The number of hunters stopping at check stations appears to be similar to last year’s opening weekend, and the busiest station was once again at U.S. 2, with 40 whitetails, (including 32 bucks), nine mule deer and 11 elk. The Thompson Falls station had 13 whitetail bucks, one mule deer and six elk.

Like last year, whitetail deer hunting is limited to bucks only across most of Northwest Montana with more conservative regulations at improving recruitment of young deer.

Elk hunting is limited to brow-tine bulls only, with the exception of youth hunters ages 12 to 15 who can harvest cow elk.