Deer Harvest Continues Up, Elk Down On Rocky Mountain Front
Contact: Bruce Auchly (406) 454-5840
White-tailed and mule deer taken by hunters continues to remain above average while the elk harvest is below average on the Rocky Mountain Front at the end of the second weekend of the 2016 general big game season.
The numbers were collected at Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ check station in Augusta, said Brent Lonner, FWP wildlife biologist.
“The elk harvest is 14 percent below the 10-year average, but slightly above the last couple years at this time,” Lonner said. “The bull harvest is up but antlerless harvest is down. Weather and access continue to play the largest role in harvesting elk in this area.”
Concerning the mule deer numbers, Lonner said: “Mule deer harvest is 11 percent above the 10-year average and the highest since 2013.”
White-tailed deer harvest is also 10 percent above the 10-year average.
The numbers at the Augusta check station – FWP Region 4’s sole biological check station – apply only to a handful of hunting districts on the Rocky Mountain Front.
Elk hunters so far have brought in 56 elk (37 bulls, 18 cows and one calf) compared to the long-term average of 65 elk.
Mule deer at the check station have numbered 55 (50 bucks and five does). The long-term average is 49 animals.
With whitetails, this year’s count in Augusta stands at 49 (29 bucks, 17 does and three fawns), while the 10-year average is 44.
So far 767 hunters have stopped at the Augusta station, which is about two percent above average.
The general deer and elk season runs through Nov. 27.