White-tailed Deer and Elk Harvest Continue Above Average in Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 11.05.12
At the end of the third weekend of Montana’s big game general season, elk and white-tailed deer harvest numbers continue to be above the 10-year average, a state wildlife biologist says.
The numbers were collected at Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ check station in Augusta.
“For elk, the most significant increase has been the cow harvest,” says Brent Lonner, FWP wildlife biologist. “Whitetail doe and buck harvest has been above average, too. The mule deer harvest continues to be below average, most noticeably the buck harvest.”
While 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, they often mirror conditions elsewhere in north central Montana.
Elk hunters so far have brought in 185 animals (62 bulls, 108 cows and 15 calves) compared to the 10-year average of 135 elk.
White-tailed deer numbers this year in Augusta stand at 103 (54 bucks, 42 does and seven fawns), while the 10-year average is 80.
Mule deer at the check station have numbered 87 (70 bucks and 17 does). The 10-year average is 120 animals.
