Hunting outlooks for Regions 2, 3 and 4

DESTINATION: WESTERN MONTANA (REGION 2)

After a colder and snowier 2022-2023 winter, we returned to a milder and much less snowy winter during 2023-2024 (although there were a few cold snaps). Given the milder winter conditions and the decent fall leading up to it, animals fared well and were observed to be in good late-winter/early-spring body condition during our annual spring surveys.

Spring green-up arrived early this year, benefiting wildlife. We suspect that the mild winter with low snow, accompanied by high-quality spring green-up forage, helped animals maintain good body condition and growth heading into fall even though the summer was relatively dry.

Big game check stations will be open in FWP Region 2 on weekends during the general season in Darby, Bonner, Anaconda and at the mouth of Fish Creek west of Missoula.

Elk

Even though a few new regulation and boundary changes have been in place since 2022, hunters are still encouraged to read the regulations closely and review hunting district (HD) boundary changes that impacted HDs 201, 202, 240 and 285. As a reminder, this is the third season that hunters with limited bull permits are restricted to hunting the district in which they hold their permit, with the exception of HD 270 in the southern Bitterroot.

For Blackfoot-area elk hunters, most elk herds are below or near the lower range of population objectives. Elsewhere in the region, most elk herds are at or above population objectives. Most districts offer brow-tined bull hunting opportunities on the general license except HDs 217, 250 and 282, which are on limited permits.

There are some early season antlerless hunting opportunities on private lands in several hunting districts in the Blackfoot, Upper Clark Fork and Bitterroot. Hunters who hold these licenses are encouraged to contact the local biologist to facilitate connecting with landowners experiencing game damage issues.

The migratory nature of many of the elk herds in the region means that the weather largely determines where elk are found. In seasons with early snowfall, elk tend to move to lower elevations where they may be more accessible to hunters.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer numbers are generally stable to increasing. Annual spring recruitment surveys in HD 201 showed similar to slightly lower recruitment compared to previous years, while in some parts of the Blackfoot Valley, fawn ratios were higher than in other recent years. Hunters should expect good hunting conditions and success to be average or slightly above average this fall. As with other big game, the best opportunity will be away from roads and motorized access.

Mule deer

Opportunities to hunt mule deer are somewhat limited in western Montana. Some districts require a permit or B License. For the third season, several hunting districts allow mule deer buck harvest on the general license for the first three weeks of the general season only, so hunters are encouraged to read the regulations closely. The three-week season applies to HDs 204, 212, 213, 214, 215, 217, 240 and 292.

Overall, mule deer numbers in Region 2 are down from historic levels, but buck harvest has remained relatively stable in most districts. Spring surveys showed good recruitment of new deer to the population, despite the long winter, and hunters should expect conditions and success to be similar to 2023. Mule deer hunters should plan to go high in the mountains for the best opportunity at bigger bucks. 

Pronghorn (Antelope)

There are only a few pronghorn hunting opportunities in western Montana. Pronghorn numbers in HDs 215 and 291 are similar to last year's numbers but down from long-term trends. Hunting is limited to a few hunters who received a license through a special drawing.

For more detailed information on pronghorn, deer and elk numbers and hunting opportunities in western Montana, check out past editions of the FWP Region 2 Wildlife Quarterly, available online at fwp.mt.gov/r2-wildlife-quarterlies.

Note on CWD

Region 2 had its first chronic wasting disease (CWD) detection last fall in HD 213 near Deer Lodge. New CWD sampling stations will be running starting Oct. 26 in the Deer Lodge (exact location TBD) and Clearwater Junction (Blackfoot) areas. Testing for CWD is voluntary. Hunters wishing to have harvested elk, deer and moose tested can submit samples themselves (more information is available at fwp.mt.gov/cwd), visit the CWD sampling stations, or stop by the FWP office in Missoula during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the general season. CWD sampling will also be available at the Anaconda check station.

DESTINATION: SOUTHWEST MONTANA (REGION 3)

As in other areas of the state, big game herds in this region are still rebounding from the tough winter of 2022-2023.

Elk

Elk numbers are strong in the Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Helena, Sheridan and Livingston areas. A mild winter last year helped with recruitment.

In the Townsend area, elk numbers vary, with what appear to be still-high numbers on private lands, but not on public.

Like always, make sure to be familiar with the regulations as you plan your hunt.

Mule deer

Mule deer numbers are a mixed bag in this region. In some areas, like around Bozeman, Sheridan and Helena, numbers are looking better. However, around Butte, Dillon, Livingston and the public lands near Townsend, numbers are down. The mild winter last year appears to have had a broad positive impact on mule deer numbers, which is good.

Within this region, there have been several regulation changes hunters should be familiar with. Before you go out, please make sure and look through the hunting regulations for the hunting district you plan to hunt and note any potential changes.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer in southwest Montana are generally still down in numbers following the winter of 2022-2023. But biologists are seeing improvement in many areas.

Of particular note is the Ruby Valley, where populations have been reduced in response to high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Outside of the Ruby Valley, whitetail populations throughout southwest Montana remain stable or increasing. CWD continues to spread among white-tailed deer throughout the Ruby River watershed. Outside of the lower portion of the Ruby Valley, prevalence remains relatively low but is increasing. Hunters concerned about consuming deer with chronic wasting disease should have white-tailed deer from anywhere in southwestern Montana tested prior to consuming.

Also, some of the best white-tailed concentrations in this region are on private lands. Hunter success can often depend on getting access to these lands.

Pronghorn (Antelope)

The winter of 2022-2023 was hard on pronghorn across the region. Numbers continue to remain down in most hunting districts but are showing some improvement. In the Butte area, some hunting districts are showing some robust counts, but with the majority of animals on private lands. This is a theme for the entire region-getting access to private land is critical for pronghorn success.

Note on CWD

Biologists in southwestern Montana are interested in data from hunter-submitted samples for CWD testing. These sampling efforts help FWP understand the prevalence and distribution of the disease through time, which informs wildlife management for healthy herds. If you harvest a deer, elk or moose, please consider submitting samples for CWD testing. Learn more at fwp.mt.gov/cwd.

Hunters should also remember to check the regulations before heading afield for potential changes to what and where they're used to hunting.

DESTINATION: NORTH-CENTRAL MONTANA (REGION 4)

Due to weather that can best be described as "typical" for the winter of 2023-24, followed by near-average precipitation during the spring and summer months, drought conditions for much of north-central Montana have continued to moderate over the past year. As a result, hunters will find that habitat conditions have improved and biologists report that overall big game numbers remain near long-term average levels. A few hunting districts remain below average for some species, and hunters in those districts will find a corresponding reduction in hunting opportunities.

Elk

Elk numbers are stable or slightly increasing over much of the region, leading to an expectation of good opportunities for hunters, especially if weather and hunting conditions are favorable once the season gets underway.

The well-known Sun River elk herd along the Rocky Mountain Front remains near long-term average, as do elk numbers farther north, as well as those in the Belt and Highwood mountains. But without cold and snowy weather to move the elk out of the remote areas into more accessible habitat, hunting for them can be difficult. Elk distribution on private land is less dependent upon weather conditions to move the elk, but access can be difficult to obtain, so hunters should seek permission early.

Mule deer

Although weather conditions have mostly been favorable for mule deer fawn survival and recruitment across the region this year, overall numbers still remain below long-term averages, and hunters will find more restrictive opportunities to hunt antlered bucks along with limited or no opportunity for antlerless hunting in many hunting districts.

Mule deer numbers in the Missouri Breaks districts in the eastern areas of Region 4 are still significantly lower than long-term averages due to slow recovery from severe droughts and poor winter weather of previous years. Hunters should once again expect to see noticeably fewer deer in these areas this fall. Hunters also need to carefully check regulations while planning their hunts, since some hunting districts are now permit-only for the entire season, while others require a permit for part of the season. Due to low population levels, opportunity for antlerless mule deer harvest is extremely limited or non-existent over most Missouri Breaks districts.

The western and central districts in Region 4 have seen some small improvements in deer numbers, although they still remain slightly below average in many areas. Highest numbers of mule deer can be found in the agricultural land areas of the central part of the region, where some opportunity still exists for antlerless harvest.

With chronic wasting disease (CWD) recently detected in new areas of Region 4, hunters are asked to submit their deer for testing at an FWP check station to help monitor and track the spread of the disease.

White-tailed deer

White-tailed deer are typically found in the lower-elevation agricultural lands along rivers and streams, so they are less susceptible to severe winter weather and drought conditions that have impacted mule deer numbers in the region. This year, white-tailed deer numbers are considered good across most of the region, with a single-region over-the-counter antlerless B License available and providing good opportunities for hunters across the region. Since much of their habitat is often on private agricultural land, getting landowner permission to hunt well in advance of the season is important for success.

Pronghorn (Antelope)

Generally, pronghorn numbers appear to be stable to slightly increasing across much of Region 4 following the mild winter weather conditions of last year. Biologist surveys revealed relatively good fawn numbers in most hunting districts, as well as good buck-to-doe ratios. However, continued drought conditions and past tough winters continue to slow population growth in eastern Region 4, but higher fawn numbers seen this year are an encouraging sign for population recovery in the future.