Whitetail deer and elk harvest similar to last year in Northwest Montana
by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
November 20, 2008
The harvest of white-tailed deer and elk in northwest Montana has pulled about even with last year according to results at the six northwest Montana check stations.
Through November 16, a total of 15,650 hunters have taken 814 white-tailed deer, 135 mule deer, and 109 elk for a 6.8 percent rate of hunters with game. This compares to a 7.4 percent rate of hunters with game last year at the same point in the season. Check stations measure only a percentage of the harvest but usually reflect the overall harvest trend.
According to FWP Wildlife Manager Jim Williams, the number of whitetail bucks brought through the check stations (396) is similar to the number taken at the same point last year. "We’ve seen the harvest of older bucks pick up, indicating that the rut is now well underway," Williams said. He added that snow would greatly aid hunters as the season enters the fourth week.
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