Deer, elk harvest up as season closes
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News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
WESTERN MONTANA — Whitetail deer harvest finished ahead of last year’s totals as the season wrapped up Sunday in northwest Montana.
A total of 18,411 hunters — the highest number since 2011 — checked 1,294 white-tailed deer (1,067 were bucks), 125 mule deer, and 86 elk (50 in 2014) for an 8.2 percent rate of hunters with game. This is slightly higher than the 7.9 percent of hunters with game last year. The number of hunters passing through check stations in northwest Montana was the highest it’s been since 2011.
As of Sunday, hunters in northwest Montana have taken 26 wolves. Statewide, 90 wolves have been taken. These totals are up slightly from last year at the end of the general deer and elk season. The wolf hunting season continues until March 15. Hunters can still purchase a wolf hunting license, but there is a 24-hour waiting period before it is valid.
