Elk numbers are at record highs in many areas of the state. Whitetail and mule deer populations are on the upswing. Even upland game birds are bouncing back from a disastrous snow storm a few years back.
The early hunting seasons are set to open next week.
Archers are sharpening their arrows for the archery season for elk and deer which kicks off on Sept. 3. Black bear hunters can take to the woods on Sept. 15.
The waterfowl season starts on Oct. 1, followed by the pheasant opener on Oct. 8.
Here's what you can expect:
Elk
Around Missoula, elk numbers are at all-time highs in many districts.
A mild winter, better calf recruitment and a hunting season marred by a lack of snow are the main reasons that elk numbers continue to climb in the region, said John Firebaugh, FWP's Region 2 wildlife manager.
All five districts in the Bitterroot area have elk populations at record highs. A couple districts in the Blackfoot region also have record numbers of elk.
"Most other areas are holding their own as well," Firebaugh said.
The only area in Region 2 that's seen a decline in elk is Upper Rock Creek.
"It's the exception to the rule," he said. "We have had some high numbers of permits there and those might be cutting into the elk numbers a bit."
To make matters even more exciting for hunters, the ratio between bulls and cows is looking pretty good this year, Firebaugh said.
Those burgeoning bull numbers can probably be traced back to the fact that hunters haven't been that successful the last couple of years due to some lackluster hunting conditions through the general season.
For hunters, weather makes all the difference.
"With high elk numbers, the potential for a good elk season is there," said Firebaugh. "Good elk hunting literally depends on weather ... when we get some cold and some good snow, it really picks up. It makes a big difference."
The lackluster hunting seasons of the past few years do have a silver lining in the number of bull elk that are living longer and growing larger.
In some areas like around Darby, elk hunters will have an opportunity to see some larger bulls, said Firebaugh.
"The percentage of bull elk 5 years and older are slowly on the upswing, particularly around the Darby area," he said.
Hunters will also have some additional opportunity to hunt antlerless elk in some areas where elk numbers are high.
In the upper Bitterroot area, in hunting districts 240, 250 and 270, hunters can harvest both anterless elk or branched antler bulls during the last nine days of the general season.
In hunting districts 204 and 261, on the east side of the Sapphire Range, hunters can shoot both anterless elk or branched antler bulls the last two weeks of the general season.
"The biggest challenge that we face now is figuring out a way to be able to harvest an adequate number of elk every year to keep us within the population objectives of our elk plan," said Firebaugh.
In northwest Montana, elk populations are also faring well.
"The northwest Montana big game populations have remained stable or have continued to increase annually," said Jim Williams, regional wildlife program manager. "This is, in part, due to a relatively wet August last year, followed by a relatively mild winter and a very wet spring this year."
The quality of big game forage could not be better, Williams said.
This year biologists saw an improvement in calf recruitment into the population in most areas in northwest Montana.
They classified more than 3,000 elk this spring to gauge the population. Calf numbers ranged from 20 per 100 cows in the Galton Mountains area east of Eureka in Hunting District 109 to 32 in the Lost Trail area of Hunting District 103.
In the Lower Clark Fork area of Hunting District 121, antlerless elk permits were bumped up to 550 in an effort to provide some additional hunting opportunity and manage an escalating population.
Hunters are reminded that through both the archery and general season, they are limited to harvesting brow-tined bulls only.
For the second year in a row, hunters will be able to harvest either an anterless elk or branched antler bull in many areas of southwest Montana during the last four weeks of the general hunting season.
"It's almost wide open during those weeks of the season," said Kurt Alt, FWP's Region 3 wildlife manager.
This is the first time since the mid-1970s that the region has seen such liberal seasons, Alt said. Nearly all the hunting districts south of Interstate 90 are under the either-sex regulations, although hunters should check to make sure their favorite hunting grounds are included.
"This is really a good time to be an elk hunter," said Alt.
While the drought lingers in southwest Montana, Alt said spring rains have dampened the effect for critters dependent on good forage.
"We've seen a good turnaround in grazing production the past couple of years," said Alt. "It doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet, but it's certainly been helpful in fawn and calf production."
With a little help from the weather, Montana's favorite elk hunting grounds could be really productive this season, said Bob Brannon, the state biologist for the Gravelly-Snowcrest area in southwest Montana.
"Numbers are as high as they've been in the past," Brannon said.
Following several lackluster hunting seasons due to mild weather conditions, hunters will have the opportunity of finding some larger bulls in the area as well, said Brannon. Typically, the wide open spaces don't provide much cover and nearly every legal bull is harvested each year.
"The poor hunting success that we've had the last few years have allowed more of those bulls to grow a little bit older," he said.
Last year, the season was extended for two weeks due to low harvest. Brannon said that didn't make much difference since the weather again failed to cooperate.
The other surprise last year was hunter numbers were actually down somewhat despite the fact that hunters could shoot both cows and bulls during most of the season.
"The weather changed and became milder right after the first week," Brannon said. "I think hunters are starting to get trained too. They know that hunting isn't nearly as productive without the weather."
Deer
Whitetail deer numbers have been increasing in most areas around Missoula.
That's good news for hunters dealing with the aftermath of the disastrous winter of 1996-97 when whitetail deer numbers plummeted following a heavy snowfall.
"There was about a three-year lag in fawn crops following that winter," said Firebaugh. "Fawn survival was down dramatically that first winter. Does didn't produce very well the following spring and they didn't come into the next breeding season in very good condition."
Since then, nearly every winter has been mild and whitetail numbers have rebounded.
"They are doing very well," Firebaugh said. "Whitetails are providing a lot of hunting opportunities for folks."
This year, for the first time, young hunters aged 12 to 14 will be able to harvest whitetail does or fawns on their general deer license through the entire five-week season in nearly all hunting districts in western Montana with a few exceptions including the Blackfoot/Clearwater game range, Hunting District 282.
All hunters can harvest whitetail does and fawns in the Bitterroot through the season. In most other areas in region two, hunters can harvest a doe or fawn whitetail during the first week of the season.
Mule deer numbers are on the upswing as well around the Missoula area.
Biologists have set aside 10 areas to monitor mule deer numbers in Region 2. In nine of those areas, mule deer numbers are at or above long term averages.
Mule deer are also showing up in some new places.
"Their numbers are expanding in most places," said Firebaugh. "We're seeing mule deer in places that 10 years ago they were pretty scarce."
For hunters looking for a better opportunity to harvest a big buck, Firebaugh said there are five districts around the region that require a permit to hunt mule deer bucks.
"Those have certainly been successful in producing some older aged bucks," he said. "There's been a lot of interest in those areas. We're seeing some really nice big bucks."
When those areas were established, Firebaugh said it wasn't unusual for the general hunting season to end with buck numbers as low as five per 100 does. Now, that ratio at the end of the season is closer to 20 or 25 bucks per 100 does. In Hunting District 270, which is located east of Hamilton, biologists counted 62 bucks per 100 does following last year's hunting season.
"We're now trying to increase the number of permits for that area so folks can take advantage of that increase," he said.
More than 2,000 people applied for 75 permits two years ago. This year, FWP bounced the number of permits up to 150.
"It's extremely popular," said Firebaugh.
In northwest Montana, the commission increased antlerless whitetail permits in number of hunting districts after biologists recorded a general upswing in whitetail numbers throughout most of the region.
Regionally, biologists recorded an average of 47 fawns per 100 adult whitetail deer. In the Blacktail Mountain foothills of Hunting District 120, the numbers jumped to 70 fawns per 100 adults.
And the news only gets better when buck numbers are added to the list. Last year, hunters showed up with a larger share of older bucks in the bag at regional game check stations.
Mule deer are doing as well in northwest Montana.
Continued good winter survival of mule deer fawns and a strong yearling age class could set the stage for plenty of opportunity this fall for mule deer hunters.
Mule deer fawn ratios ranged from 33 fawns per 100 adults in the Purcell Mountains to 37 in the Galton Mountains. The regional average was 34 fawns per 100 adults.
With one exception in Hunting District 103 where antlerless permits were offered, hunters are limited to antlered bucks. Most mule deer in northwest Montana are found at relatively high elevations. The Whitefish, Salish, Purcell, Swan and Cabinet mountain ranges provide the best opportunities.
In southwest Montana mule deer numbers have stabilized at relative high levels.
In the Sweetwater Hills near Dillon, hunters will be able to harvest a doe on their general buck license from Oct. 23 to Nov. 12.
"We've just had some very good fawn production and survival and therefore have been able to implement a more liberal season in that area," said Brannon. "Deer hunters should find some good opportunities in surrounding areas as well."
Upland birds
Montana upland game bird hunters may be looking at a good season this year, especially if they're willing to travel to the northcentral or eastern portions of the state.
The season for most upland game bird species begins on Sept. 1.
"A generally mild winter over much of Montana and a moist spring has resulted in good winter survival and plenty of cover for rearing broods, especially in FWP regions 4, 5, 6 and 7," said Rick Northrup, FWP upland and migratory bird coordinator.
Upland game bird hunting opportunities in FWP regions 1 and 3 will be similar or slightly improved from last year.
Upland game bird hunting in FWP Region 1 around Kalispell is expected to be about average this year across the board. At Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area, pheasant numbers are expected to be slightly improved from last year.
In the Missoula area, Firebaugh said he's not expecting to see lots of mountain grouse this season. This spring's cool and wet weather could have impacted the bird's nesting success, he said.
"Mountain grouse numbers have been down for a number of years," he said. "I'm not looking for a bumper crop this year."
Turkey numbers around Missoula are on the upswing following several years of successful planting operations. In Ravalli County, the state now offers 300 permits for the fall season.
The general upswing in bird numbers around the state should be welcome news for bird hunters who saw bird populations crash following the severe winter of 2003-04. Pheasant populations dropped by about 30 percent below average and sage grouse numbers plummeted to about 20 percent of average in northeastern Montana.
"With what we've observed so far, it appears there is a decent recovery going on out there, and pheasants in northcentral Montana and in the far eastern portions of the state in particular seem to be doing well," Northrup said.
Around Great Falls and Havre, pheasant populations took a nice bump upwards. And around southwest Montana, most upland game bird hunting is expected to be about average, although pheasant populations remain in a slump.
Brannon said he's seen some good numbers of sage grouse in his travels around the Gravelly, Snowcrest and Centennial mountain areas.
"It appears like there should be a fair number of sage grouse this year," he said.
In the Billings area, hunting for huns, chukar and pheasants should be similar to last year. Grouse populations are stable, and turkey hunting is expected to be above average.
In the Glasgow area in northeastern Montana, grouse and hun populations show a notable improvement and the pheasant population is also significantly improved. The turkey population is looking good as well. Local production may be spotty due to variations in cover and mortality from localized hail and rainstorms.
Near Miles City, in the southeast, pheasant populations are expected to be above average and turkey hunting will also be above average. There will also be some slight improvement over last year in sage and sharp-tailed grouse populations.
"With birds, every variable is important, including winter weather, spring precipitation, temperature, cover, and the abundance of insects. All play a role in upland game bird survival and production," Northrup said. "That is why there can be so much variability across the state and why it can be difficult to forecast populations for specific areas."
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