Destination: Western Montana (Region 2)

After a colder and snowier 2022-2023 winter, we returned to a milder and much less snowy winter during 2023-2024 (although there were a few cold snaps). Given the milder winter conditions and the decent fall leading up to it, animals fared well and were observed to be in good late-winter/early-spring body condition during our annual spring surveys.  

Spring green-up arrived early this year, benefiting wildlife. We suspect that the mild winter with low snow, accompanied by high-quality spring green-up forage, helped animals maintain good body condition and growth heading into fall even though the summer was relatively dry.  

Big game check stations will be open in FWP Region 2 on weekends during the general season in Darby, Bonner, Anaconda and at the mouth of Fish Creek west of Missoula.  

Elk 

Even though a few new regulation and boundary changes have been in place since 2022, hunters are still encouraged to read the regulations closely and review hunting district (HD) boundary changes that impacted HDs 201, 202, 240 and 285. As a reminder, this is the third season that hunters with limited bull permits are restricted to hunting the district in which they hold their permit, with the exception of HD 270 in the southern Bitterroot.   

For Blackfoot-area elk hunters, most elk herds are below or near the lower range of population objectives. Elsewhere in the region, most elk herds are at or above population objectives. Most districts offer brow-tined bull hunting opportunities on the general license except HDs 217, 250 and 282, which are on limited permits.  

There are some early season antlerless hunting opportunities on private lands in several hunting districts in the Blackfoot, Upper Clark Fork and Bitterroot. Hunters who hold these licenses are encouraged to contact the local biologist to facilitate connecting with landowners experiencing game damage issues.  

The migratory nature of many of the elk herds in the region means that the weather largely determines where elk are found. In seasons with early snowfall, elk tend to move to lower elevations where they may be more accessible to hunters. 

White-tailed deer 

White-tailed deer numbers are generally stable to increasing. Annual spring recruitment surveys in HD 201 showed similar to slightly lower recruitment compared to previous years, while in some parts of the Blackfoot Valley, fawn ratios were higher than in other recent years. Hunters should expect good hunting conditions and success to be average or slightly above average this fall. As with other big game, the best opportunity will be away from roads and motorized access.  

Mule deer 

Opportunities to hunt mule deer are somewhat limited in western Montana. Some districts require a permit or B License. For the third season, several hunting districts allow mule deer buck harvest on the general license for the first three weeks of the general season only, so hunters are encouraged to read the regulations closely. The three-week season applies to HDs 204, 212, 213, 214, 215, 217, 240 and 292.  

Overall, mule deer numbers in Region 2 are down from historic levels, but buck harvest has remained relatively stable in most districts. Spring surveys showed good recruitment of new deer to the population, despite the long winter, and hunters should expect conditions and success to be similar to 2023. Mule deer hunters should plan to go high in the mountains for the best opportunity at bigger bucks.  

Pronghorn (Antelope) 

There are only a few pronghorn hunting opportunities in western Montana. Pronghorn numbers in HDs 215 and 291 are similar to last year’s numbers but down from long-term trends. Hunting is limited to a few hunters who received a license through a special drawing.  

For more detailed information on pronghorn, deer and elk numbers and hunting opportunities in western Montana, check out past editions of the FWP Region 2 Wildlife Quarterly, available online at fwp.mt.gov/r2-wildlife-quarterlies. 

Note on CWD 

Region 2 had its first chronic wasting disease (CWD) detection last fall in HD 213 near Deer Lodge. New CWD sampling stations will be running starting Oct. 26 in the Deer Lodge (exact location TBD) and Clearwater Junction (Blackfoot) areas. Testing for CWD is voluntary. Hunters wishing to have harvested elk, deer and moose tested can submit samples themselves (more information is available at fwp.mt.gov/cwd), visit the CWD sampling stations, or stop by the FWP office in Missoula during business hours, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the general season. CWD sampling will also be available at the Anaconda check station.