Hunter Numbers and Success in North-Central Montana Increase During First Week of General Season

Through the second Sunday of the general rifle season, about 15 percent more hunters than last year stopped at the FWP check station in Augusta. Overall deer and elk hunting success in the area was good, with almost a quarter of those hunters successfully harvesting a big game animal. A total of 632 hunters in 279 parties have stopped at the Augusta check station through November 3, an increase over the 551 hunters seen during the same period last year. However, numbers still lag when compared to the ten-year average of 682 hunters. A total of 156 elk and deer have been brought through the check station, which is approximately 18 percent above recent average and a 7 percent increase from last year at this time. Total deer harvest is approximately 31 percent above average, and also above last year at this time. A total of 56 mule deer and 49 white-tailed deer have been checked. Elk harvest is in line with recent average harvest levels with a total of 51 elk checked thus far this season, compared to the ten-year average of 52 elk. Given relatively mild weather conditions thus far, migrational movement by the Sun River elk herd has been minimal. Incoming precipitation to begin the second week of the general rifle season may influence a few more elk to begin moving east towards their primary winter range area on the Sun River WMA. Elk quotas tied to hunting districts 424 and 442 remain open to antlerless harvest. If these quotas are met, antlerless elk harvest closes but the brow-tined bull season remains open through Thanksgiving weekend for these hunting districts. In addition to the deer and elk harvest, six antelope, one bighorn sheep, one moose, one mountain goat and a variety of upland game birds and waterfowl have been checked though the station. The general deer and elk seasons run through Sunday, Dec. 1. The check station operated by FWP along Main Street in Augusta is the only biological check station in Region 4 and operates seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends. Biological check stations like the station in Augusta are intended primarily for biologists to gather trends and statistical information about animals and hunters. Hunters are reminded that they must stop at any check station they pass while hunting, whether or not they have harvested game.