Northwest Montana hunting numbers ahead of 2012

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 1 officials report that according to the six Northwest Montana check stations, deer harvest in Northwest Montana is now ahead of last year at the same point in the season.

A total of 11,811 hunters checked 594 white-tailed deer, including 528 bucks, 90 mule deer and 45 elk for a 6.2 percent rate of hunters with game. Last year’s success rate was 4.9 percent, and total hunter numbers are up seven percent over the same period last year.

“We expect this trend to hold true, especially if we get good tracking snow,” FWP wildlife manager Jim Williams said.

The counts at the check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

The Olney check station continued to post the highest success rate in Northwest Montana with 9 percent of hunters with game, compared to 6.2 percent last year. A total of 1,692 hunters checked 141 whitetails, compared to 83 last year, 124 white-tailed bucks, compared to 76 last year, seven mule deer and five elk.

In the North Fork, 737 hunters checked in 17 whitetails, up from four last year, 12 white-tailed bucks, compared to four last year, seven mule deer and no elk for an overall success rate of 3.3 percent.

The Thompson Falls check station posted the second highest success rate at 7.3 percent. The check station also posted the most elk brought in, 18, the same as last year.

The U.S. 2 check station west of Kalispell checked the most hunters, 4,470, the most whitetails, 243, the most white-tailed bucks, 221, the most mule deer, 43, and the second most elk, 17.

Hunters are reminded that it’s bucks-only for whitetails in Northwest Montana. Antlerless whitetails remain legal game for youths 12-15 years of age and some qualifying 11-year-olds (see regulations).

Mule deer are bucks-only for the entire season. Elk are brow-tine bull only. Spike bull elk are not legal game for any hunter in Region 1. Hunters should refer to the hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt.

Hunters in Region 1 have taken 28 wolves as of Nov. 18. Statewide, hunters have taken 80 wolves. The wolf take is ahead of last year at this same point in the season.