Hunter numbers up, whitetail harvest down in northwest Montana
November 7, 2007
Hunter numbers are up ten percent but whitetail deer harvest is down about six percent as compared to last year at the six northwest Montana check stations through November 4. According to Wildlife Manager Jim Williams the mild weather has likely held down the number of whitetails taken.
Through Sunday, November 4, a total of 11,995 hunters bagged 681 white-tailed deer, 127 mule deer, and 90 elk. The harvest of mule deer is up slightly, while the elk harvest is up by more than a third. The counts at the six northwest Montana check stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
Hunters are reminded that it is now buck-only for whitetails in northwest Montana until November 22-25, when antlerless whitetails are again legal game in most hunting districts. Mule deer are buck-only for the entire season. Hunters should refer to the hunting regulations for the hunting district they plan to hunt. To avoid mistakes, hunters should also refer to the hunting regulations for a guide to properly validating a big game tag.
R-1 CHECK STATION TRENDS Week 2 - Through November 4, 2007
| Year | Hunter # | Total WTD | WT Bucks | Mule Deer | Elk | | 1996 | 15,705 | 1,080 | 461 | 148 | 66 | | 1997 | 12,086 | 448 | 214 | 106 | 74 | | 1998 | 10,190 | 199 | 196 | 119 | 28 | | 1999 | 9,891 | 320 | 314 | 117 | 31 | | 2000 | 10,462 | 269 | 256 | 119 | 37 | | 2001 | 11,477 | 1,073 | 342 | 114 | 49 | | 2002 | 11,864 | 752 | 331 | 110 | 64 | | 2003 | 11,998 | 894 | 331 | 159 | 78 | | 2004 | 11,980 | 823 | 354 | 177 | 109 | | 2005 | 711,793 | 732 | 313 | 173 | 132 | | 2006 | 10,580 | 725 | 295 | 120 | 65 | | 2007 | 11,995 | 681 | 261 | 127 | 90 |
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
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