Rifle season ends with uptick in overall harvest

The general big game rifle season wrapped up Sunday with an uptick across Northwest Montana in participation and the overall harvest rate.

Approximately 10.2% of the 10,848 hunters who stopped at Region 1 check stations had successfully harvested game, according to Fish, Wildlife and Parks data. That compares 10,015 hunters with a 9.1% success rate a year ago. 

A total of 954 white-tailed deer, including 745 bucks, were reported at the four weekend check stations. Last year hunters checked 761 white-tailed deer, including 567 bucks. The U.S. 2 station west of Kalispell led the way with 336 white-tail bucks, followed by the Olney station with 204.