We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ Havre hunter check station was active over the weekend (Oct. 20-21) of general deer and elk opener, with the number of hunters checked about average. This was the third weekend that the check station has been open, as the station began collecting data Oct. 6-7, corresponding with the opening weekend of pheasant and general antelope.
Hunters perhaps needed sunscreen, as weather conditions over the opening weekend were quite warm, particularly on Saturday. There were 248 hunters in 118 parties checked, which was down 2% from 2017.
Over the three weeks the check station has been open, overall hunter numbers are down 7% from last year and are 19% below the long-term average.
“Muddy conditions in some areas the first weekend (Oct. 6-7) may have contributed to the reduction in hunters,” said Havre-are biologist Scott Hemmer, who manages the check station. “But the lower upland bird populations and corresponding bird hunter participation are also a probable cause of the lower hunter numbers.”
Mule deer harvest during the weekend was about the same as last year, with 61 bucks and 22 does brought through. The long-term average during opening weekend is 59 mule deer.
“Although much of the region experienced harsh winter weather conditions last winter that may have affected mule deer numbers in some areas, region-wide mule deer populations are still doing very well,” says Hemmer.
White-tailed deer harvest over the weekend was up slightly from last year but was still slightly below the long-term average. For the year, white-tails harvest at the check station is 6% more than last year, and 3% less than the long-term average.
“Hunter report they are seeing more white-tailed deer than the last few years,” adds Hemmer.
Antelope harvest is down from last year, with 54 antelope checked in since general antelope season opened. This is a 25% decrease from 2017, and still 78% below long-term average.
“The lower numbers for antelope harvest is primarily due to reduced antelope hunter participation and lower antelope numbers,” says Hemmer. “Antelope hunter success, for those hunting, has actually been pretty fair.”
Elk harvest during the weekend saw three cow elk and one bull. This was below the long-term average of eight elk.
For the first three weeks that the check station has been open, the pheasant harvest of 269 birds is below last year (-15%) and the long-term average (-54%). Sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge harvest were both down from last year and below the long-term average.
“The extreme drought conditions in 2017 and a tough winter appear to have impacted upland bird populations throughout the region,” said Hemmer. “Some bird hunters report finding fair bird numbers in areas with good habitat, but overall hunter success has been low this year.”
Please remember that all hunters are required by law to stop as directed at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting, even if they have no game to be checked. Also this year, hunters harvesting animals in the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance area will be asked to voluntarily submit samples for testing. Harvested animals can be brought to weekend check stations or FWP offices. Go to fwp.mt.gov/CWD for more information.
