2007 Big Game Hunting Outlook
October 8, 2007
2007 Elk Hunting Outlook
Got elk? Montana does, and thousands of elk hunters are already planning for the hunt. Montana's general elk hunting season opens Oct. 21. "Hunters are going to see very healthy populations of elk and liberal hunting opportunities. If the weather works in hunters' favor and they do some advance work to gain access where it's needed, we should see a very successful harvest,” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife division management bureau chief.
That is a big if. In the past several years Montana has experienced mild winters and late snows. Kujala pointed out that the mild weather has contributed to lower elk harvests in some areas of the state, despite additional elk hunting permits and more liberal seasons available.
Kujala also reminded hunters that where wildland fires burned recently, elk populations may have shifted location or be moving through the landscape in different ways. Hunters may obtain a free Hunting Access guide from the FWP region where they plan to hunt and access FWP's hunter tool kit on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov, on the hunter access page.
Here is an overview of 2007 elk hunting opportunities in Western Montana:
In FWP Region 1, in northwestern Montana near Kalispell, elk populations continue to increase. Spring surveys revealed a regional average of 23 calves per 100 cows. Over 1,600 elk were observed in the lower Clark Fork region during spring helicopter surveys. Other hot spots for elk in northwest Montana include the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge area of the Purcell Mountains and the North Fork of the Flathead River.
2007 Deer Hunting Outlook
Deer hunters in Montana can expect to find abundant hunting opportunities across the state when the general deer season opens Oct. 21. "Conditions have been good the past several years and deer have responded with good winter survival and good fawn production," said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management bureau chief. Wildlife managers say winter survival of deer and fawns is in part due to the generally mild winters the past couple of years. “We are hoping to see cold weather this fall and some good snow to move deer into the more accessible, lower elevations. That is about all we need to improve the harvest,” Kujala said.
Kujala said hunters will want to keep in mind that deer populations may have shifted location or be using the landscape differently in areas where wildland fires burned recently.
Here is a regional look at Montana’s deer populations:
In FWP Region 1, Kalispell and the surrounding area, white-tailed deer herds continue to grow as a result of the recent mild winters. White-tailed deer are plentiful in the Swan Valley, the Salish Range and the Lower Clark Fork Valley. Hunting access is good but involves stalking game in heavy coniferous habitats. Mule deer populations are slowly increasing with good fawn production. Hot spots for mule deer include the Cabinet and West Cabinet mountains, the high country of the Lower Clark Fork, the Whitefish Range and the subalpine areas of the Mission and Swan mountain ranges. Mule deer hunters typically are more successful at the higher altitudes.
The general rifle season for deer and elk closes Nov. 25. Please check the 2007 deer and elk Hunting Regulations for details.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
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