Billings – Above-average summer temperatures and below-average precipitation across most of the region have resulted in reduced forage for wildlife going into late summer. However, following a mild winter, mule deer fawn recruitment improved in some south-central Montana hunting districts.
Elk
Elk are abundant in Region 5. Surveys this year again showed stable to slightly increasing herd sizes. The majority of elk are observed on private land where gaining hunting access may be difficult.
Mule deer
Mule deer numbers in central and eastern parts of Region 5 are near or above the long-term average. Mule deer numbers on trend areas in the remainder of the region range from 30 percent to more than 60 percent below long-term averages. Over the past couple years, mule deer numbers appear to be mostly stable. Some districts showed higher fawn recruitment this spring than has been observed for several years. The mule deer population has shown some improvement, but most districts are still well below the long-term average. For the region overall, mule deer buck harvest is 40 percent below the long-term average and has been relatively stable for the past four years. The average age of harvested mule deer bucks remains near 3.5 years old.
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White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer numbers across the region have improved slightly; however, many areas continue to have counts below the long-term average.
Pronghorn
Generally, pronghorn numbers across the region are showing declines from the previous year. FWP has adjusted licenses to reflect these declines. This season, antelope either-sex licenses 516-20 decreased from 700 to 550, license 526-20 decreased from 250 to 100, 536-20 decreased from 300 to 150, and antelope doe/fawn license 596-30 decreased from 150 to 50. In response to increasing antelope numbers in district 586, 586-20 either-sex licenses were increased from 450 to 550. Doe/fawn licenses 586-30 increased from 200 to 350.
Note on check stations and CWD
Biologists in south-central Montana encourage hunters to get their harvested deer, elk and moose sampled for CWD. Hunters can submit their own samples from harvested animals or stop at a CWD sampling station to have FWP collect the samples. Additionally, hunters may get their animals sampled for CWD at the Region 5 office on weekdays during the hunting season.
FWP will have hunter check stations in Big Timber, Lavina, Columbus and Billings during the general season. During the opening weekend of pronghorn season, there will be check stations in Billings, Big Timber and Broadview. Hunters must stop at check stations regardless of success in the field. Information gathered at these check stations is integral to wildlife management. Biological check stations will operate on weekends throughout the hunting season.
