Uptick: Western Montana Hunters’ Big Game Rifle Season Numbers

Montana’s 2024 general big game hunting season closed this past Sunday, December 1, much the way it began five weeks ago in west-central Montana.

And that is actually pretty good news, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Even with fewer hunters stopped at check stations, harvest numbers for both deer and elk increased over 2023.

THE NUMBERS

During each of the six weekends of the season, Montana FWP operated wildlife check stations near Anaconda, Bonner and Darby in west-central Montana. The check stations collectively recorded 9,905 hunter stops and a harvest of 288 elk, 119 mule deer and 525 white-tailed deer.  This compares to 10,149 hunter stops, 225 elk, 102 mule deer and 492 white-tailed deer at the 2023 season’s end.

Elk and white-tailed deer harvest totals were up at each station compared to 2023. Mule deer harvest was up at the Darby and Anaconda station and on track with the 2023 season in Bonner.

Another hunter check station in the Fish Creek area of Mineral County operated four weekends of the season. The Fish Creek station sees fewer hunters compared to the other stations but   steady traffic during the final weekend as hunters took another chance at filling their tags. Mule deer harvest tallied at the Fish Creek station was up slightly from last year, white-tailed deer down, and elk on par.

FWP points out that check stations only account for a small percentage of total harvest across the region, but because the stations have been in operation consistently for many years, they monitor important early harvest trends. They also help with the gathering of   biological information on wildlife health and age.

FWP also wishes to thank all the hunters who stopped and shared information all season long. We hope you had a successful harvest!