Montana White-tailed Deer B License Changes Announced
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 10.21.13
The Fish and Wildlife commission today took additional action to address the effects of disease on white-tailed deer in North central Montana. The action taken prohibits the use of over the counter antlerless white-tailed B licenses purchased after today in all hunting districts North and West of the Missouri River in FWP region 4. FWP director Jeff Hagener said while no additional antlerless white-tailed B licenses purchased will be valid for that area all white-tailed B licenses purchased prior to today will remain valid for the entire region except hunting district 455. White-tailed B licenses purchased after today will be valid for the remainder of Region 4 except in hunting district 455.
In addition Region 6 over the counter antlerless white-tailed B licenses are no longer for sale.
Hagener encouraged hunters to consider choosing other areas for white-tail.
In a related action on Oct. 10, the Fish, & Wildlife Commission approved an emergency change to the deer hunting regulations for hunting districts 400, 401, 403, 404 and 406, north of Great Falls.
In those districts, general deer licenses are now valid for either sex white-tailed deer and mule deer bucks. Previously, hunters could take either sex, either species.
This change is due to a disease hitting white-tailed deer. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease, EHD, was widespread in Montana this fall, including FWP Region 4. EHD primarily affects whitetails.
Landowners and sportsman have reported finding dead white-tailed deer throughout North central Montana since late July.
