Big game forecast 2016: A look into what hunters can expect

As summer begins to wind down, hunting season in Montana is about to heat up.

Taking to the woods with rifle or bow in hand is a hallowed tradition in our state. Secret spots are held sacred -- passed down from father or mother to daughter or son only in whispers or, better yet, the experience of a long day afield.

And while we can’t give you any insight into a new secret spot, we can give you a good idea of what animal populations are like across the state, recognizing of course the value of a day spent hunting Montana’s most majestic wildlife is never directed by population estimates alone.

In several hunting districts, elk shoulder seasons start on Aug. 15, general archery season starts Sept. 3 and general rifle season begins Oct. 22.

Montana hunters enjoy an uncommonly long hunting season, with the avid hunters who pursue both archery and rifle hunting having more than three months to be in the field. Around the state Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ wildlife managers in general are reporting solid numbers of elk, deer and antelope.

Central Montana

Montana FWP’s Region 4 stretches from the Rocky Mountain Front to the west to the breaks of the Missouri River to the east. It is home to vast stretches of prairie, along with some of Montana’s most majestic high lonesome country. Elk, deer and antelope are found across the region.

Antelope

Antelope numbers are still recovering from recent harsh winters and spotty fatalities caused by past late-summer and short-lived hemorrhagic viruses brought on by biting insects. But populations have been increasing and that has been reflected in an increasing number of tags issued.

Elk

Elk populations are stable. In addition to the general firearms season, there are additional opportunities for elk hunters, including the shoulder seasons. However, obtaining access remains the challenge for hunters in areas along the Rocky Mountain Front, central Montana’s island mountain ranges, or in the Missouri River Breaks. In short, there are no shortage of elk in Region 4, but hunters will work to gain access.

Deer

Mule deer populations are increasing and approaching long-term averages. The mild winter and the just-enough-moisture spring certainly helped. Look for good numbers of mulies throughout Region 4.

White-tailed deer numbers continue to increase, too. After the decline of white-tailed deer in some areas due to EHD—or epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a viral infection carried by a biting midge but that’s harmless to humans—there’s been good white-tailed deer production and the recovery continues.

South central Montana

Montana FWP’s Region 5 is really where the mountains meet the plains. Elk are prevalent in many of the mountainous southern portions of the district and mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope find good habitat through much of the region.

Elk - Elk numbers in the upper Boulder drainage remain near objective while numbers in all other Region 5 hunting districts are well above objective and near all-time highs. Most elk in south central Montana are restricted to private land where access is difficult. Hunters throughout much of the region continue to enjoy liberal elk hunting regulations.

This fall, hunters can take advantage of three “elk shoulder seasons,” some starting as early as Aug. 15. During those seasons, general elk tags are valid only for antlerless elk on private land. The first season runs from Aug. 15 to the start of the archery season. A second, short season runs during the week between the end of the general archery season and the start of the general rifle season. The final shoulder season is open from Nov. 28 through the end of the year. In some hunting districts, the late season can run until Feb. 15.

Deer - Mule deer are faring better than in the previous few years, but still below the long-term average. Mule deer numbers throughout south central Montana have been at a low for the past two years because of cyclical population trends with no defining event. Mule deer numbers have improved most in the prairie hunting districts and have not fared as well along the Beartooth front.

White-tailed deer numbers are strong and at or above average in the Stillwater and Boulder drainages south of the Yellowstone River. In hunting districts north of the Yellowstone River and along the Musselshell valley, white-tailed deer numbers are recovering from an outbreak of EHD two years ago, but they remain below average. EHD is similar to blue tongue, which affects antelope.