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.

Check station results showed a slightly smaller mule deer harvest, with 92 deer checked this year compared to 97 a year ago. 

The Region 1 elk harvest was slightly above last year with 62 harvested this year compared to 51 a year ago. Twenty-four of the elk came through the Thompson Falls check station, with 21 at the U.S. 2 station.

West-central Montana's Region 2 closed the season with harvest totals slight up for deer and elk.

The state recorded 9,905 hunter stops at Region 2 check stations, with a harvest of 288 elk, 119 mule deer and 525 white-tailed deer. This compares to 10,149 hunter stops a gear, 225 elk, 102 mule deer and 492 white-tailed deer a year ago.

Hunters still have opportunities into winter. Certain areas have continued elk hunting opportunities, and there is also Montana’s Muzzleloader Heritage season for deer and elk, Dec. 14-22.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has created an online portal for hunters to thank landowners for access and share stories. The state agency will collect these notes and share them with the landowners.