MILES CITY – Sunday of the big game opener was sunny and breezy, and biological check stations in southeast Montana saw slightly fewer hunters than average, but harvest success rates were near or just above average.
While antelope harvest rates were up, check stations saw fewer mule deer. This was expected due to fewer available licenses, but hunters reported seeing more mule deer this year compared to previous seasons.
It is required for all hunters to stop at all game check stations, even if they have no game. Check stations are an opportunity to collect important biological data to help inform FWP's management decisions.
Hysham Check Station
On Sunday, wildlife staff at Hysham recorded 69 parties and 118 hunters, slightly below the 10‑year average for both during opening weekend. Antelope hunters experienced relatively strong success, with 25 antelope checked, including 13 bucks and 12 does. Harvest was modestly above average, exceeding the 10‑year average by four antelope.
Mule deer harvest was depressed, with 14 animals (12 bucks and 2 does) recorded, amounting to roughly half the 10‑year average. The decline in mule deer harvest was anticipated due to the continued conservative allocation of mule deer B‑licenses in Region 7. However, many hunters reported seeing more deer in comparison to the last two years. White‑tailed deer numbers were consistent with typical opening‑weekend activity. Thirteen whitetails were checked, including 10 bucks and three does.
Overall, 44 percent of hunters reported harvesting an animal, which is approximately 4 percent below the long-term average for the opener.
Additional species checked at the station included two bull elk, 27 pheasants, three sharp‑tailed grouse, and one Canada goose.
Ashland Check Station
A total of 94 parties and 163 hunters came through, which is 12 percent less than average. The harvest success rate was 34 percent, slightly above average. Harvest included 22 pronghorn (13 bucks, four does and five fawns), 16 mule deer (14 bucks, two does), five white-tailed deer (two bucks, three does), 11 elk (five bulls, six cows), five turkeys and 17 sharp-tailed grouse.
Harvest was near average for pronghorn, white-tailed deer and elk, but about 55 percent below average for mule deer.
The majority of hunters were satisfied with their outings, and most observed good numbers of mule deer.
Glendive Check Station
The weather this past weekend was windy and sunny, with temperatures around 40 degrees. A total of 25 parties and 53 hunters came through the check station. Of the hunters checked, 21 were successful, for a harvest success rate of 40 percent. This is 3 percent below the long-term average.
Five mule deer bucks and four white-tailed deer (three bucks and one doe) were brought through. The average age for both white-tailed deer and mule deer harvested was 4.5 years. One pronghorn antelope buck, 29 ring-necked pheasants, six sharp-tailed grouse, two Hungarian partridge and one wild turkey were also checked.
Many upland game bird hunters reported difficulty locating sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge, and when coveys were found, the number of birds was fewer than in previous years.
Overall, most hunters who came through the check station reported being satisfied with their hunts.