Hunting outlook similar to last season's

This year's big game hunting season should be similar to last year's with one important addition - hunters with a permit can shoot a wolf.

The wolf season is the first since hunters took 72 animals in 2009. This year's quota is 220 statewide, but for most of the North Fork the quota is two wolves.

That's in deference to the two packs that re-established wolf populations in Northwest Montana back in the early 1980s in Glacier National Park, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 wildlife manager Jim Williams said.

While the packs still reside in the Park where they're wholly protected, they frequently leave the Park. Williams said the North Fork quota was based on talks with the National Park Service and "frankly, the community."

But other regions of the state have far larger quotas. In 2009, it took most of the season to reach the quota of 72 wolves. Whether hunters will reach this year's quota will largely depend on December snows, Williams said - deep December snows will limit hunter access.

For traditional big game this season, most hunters can only shoot antlered whitetails and mule deer, with the exception of more liberal youth seasons.

"We have heard loud and clear from most of our hunters," Williams said. "We will remain conservative with antlerless whitetail harvest until the data shows consistent and annual increasing population trends."

Last winter was a long and cold one. Spring surveys showed about 30 fawns for every 100 adults for whitetails, 31 fawns for 100 adults for mule deer, and 16 calves for 100 cows for elk. Those numbers are considered stable.

The real appeal of hunting in Northwest Montana is the trophy animals out there.

"It's steep, it's dark, and it's difficult to hunt," Williams said.

He said it's not uncommon for some old bucks to die of old age.

The weather also plays a huge role in hunter success. If hunters can get a light, tracking snow, the success rate is usually higher than seasons with warm, dry weather.

This year's general firearm season starts Oct. 22. Locally, a youth hunt on Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. lands is planned again for this year. Special permission from FWP is required for the CFAC hunt. Contact FWP at 752-5501 for more information.