Hunters enter final week of season

Even with fewer hunters stopping at check stations this year, the deer harvest in Northwest Montana is ahead of last year’s numbers with one week remaining in the season. 

Through Sunday, 13,976 hunters had stopped at the six Northwest Montana checks stations with 605 whitetail deer, including 532 bucks, and 101 mule deer.

That compares to 14,986 hunters stopping at this point last year with 606 whitetail deer, including 494 bucks, and just 70 mule deer.

The elk harvest is off somewhat with hunters checking 67 elk compared to 87 at this point last year. 

The percentage of hunters with game is at 5.5 percent, up from 5.1 percent last year. Check station statistics represent only a sampling of the overall harvest, partly because the stations are open only on weekends.

Hunters have taken 19 wolves in Northwest Montana and 66 wolves statewide. 

Hunters are reminded that it is buck-only for whitetails in Northwest Montana. Antlerless whitetails remain legal game for youths ages 12-15 (and some qualifying 11-year olds).  

Mule deer are buck-only for the entire season. Only brow-tined bull elk can be taken by hunters. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Northwest Montana.  

Hunters should refer to state hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt.

The general hunting season closes this Sunday at sunset.