GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – The winter-like weather on the Rocky Mountain Front for the opening weekend of Montana’s general big game season led to fewer hunters going out, but those who did took home deer and elk close to average compared to the past nine years.
In a press release, FWP wildlife biologist Brent Lonner said, “Elk and mule harvest were only slightly below the recent average. White-tailed deer harvest was well above average, especially for antlerless deer.”
The numbers were tallied at FWP’s Augusta check station, which is the sole biological check station in Region 4 and these results only apply to a handful of hunting districts.
Elk hunters brought in 15 animals this year compared to the nine-year average of 17. Mule deer numbers came to 11 this year, compared to and average of 13. This year’s opening weekend count for whitetails was 21, compared to an average of 15.
