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2002 ANTELOPE SEASON FORECAST
2002-10-04
ANTELOPE SEASON UPDATE
Antelope populations continue to surge in Montana as hunters prepare for another productive season. Antelope archery season is Sept. 7-Oct. 12 and antelope general season is Oct. 13-Nov. 10. Antelope hunters in Montana apply for permits distributed through a special drawing in August.
"Montana's relatively mild winters the past couple of years are responsible for continuing increases in most antelope populations around the state," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife bureau chief. "That growth means hunters will see increased hunting opportunities this fall."
Antelope hunting opportunities around the state will be similar to or even better than last year in most locations, with some significant increases in either-sex and doe/fawn licenses available in hunting districts in north central and eastern Montana.
Here's a rundown on what hunters can expect:
Region 2, Missoula and the surrounding area-- The only antelope herd occupies the east side of the Deer Lodge Valley. The herd appears to be expanding to the north and northeast. "Aerial surveys conducted during late July this year indicate a reduction in numbers from the all time high of 184 animals observed in 2001," said John Firebaugh, FWP wildlife manager. "The ratio of 26 fawns to 100 does is also lower than ratios from previous years, however, hunters should have no trouble finding antelope, providing they have access to private land." Antelope from this herd are reported to have spread north of Highway 12 as far as the Avon and Elliston areas.
FWP Region 3, Bozeman and the surrounding area--Populations are up some from last year, said Joel Peterson, FWP wildlife manager. "Improved moisture continues to favor antelope," said Peterson. "Good numbers of bucks are available in most areas of the region and hunting is expected to be as good or better than last year."
FWP Region 4, Great Falls and the surrounding area--Antelope are abundant after four consecutive mild winters and well-timed rainfall this summer. "In the past couple of winters we had good fawn survival, building up adult antelope numbers," said Graham Taylor, FWP Region 4 wildlife manager. "This summer's surveys show that good fawn production continues." A sizable surplus of antelope exists in FWP Region 4, with many of the larger antelope populations located on private lands. Taylor urges hunters to scout the herds and to make the necessary landowner contacts to obtain access. "Near record antelope numbers in some places, like hunting districts 480,481,490, 491 and 450, are meaningless if hunters haven't planned for access," Taylor said.
FWP Region 5, Billings and the surrounding area-- Many hunting districts are at or near record antelope populations, said Charlie Eustace, FWP Region 5 wildlife manager. Hunters in 66 percent of the hunting districts will be offered an additional doe/fawn license. In these districts, antelope average 7-8 animals per square mile of antelope habitat. Buck/doe ratios are very good, averaging about 46 bucks per 100 does in the areas surveyed this year. "Anyone wanting a buck should have an excellent chance of taking one home," Eustace said.
FWP Region 6, Glasgow and the surrounding area--Overall antelope numbers have dropped more than 10 percent from 2001 and fawns are down by 28 percent, said Harold Wentland, FWP Region 6 wildlife manager. The decline is mostly due to poor production in 2002 after a very dry summer in 2001, especially in the western portion of the region. Antelope appear to be especially sensitive to drought. "We have had considerably better moisture conditions this year than last. Antelope are going into this winter in much better condition than they were last winter and so we're expecting improved production, assuming a normal winter," Wentland said.
FWP Region 7, Miles City and the surrounding area--Antelope populations are holding their own, even with continuing drought. Overall numbers appear to be down about 10 percent from last summer, but are still running at the long-term average, said FWP Region 7 wildlife manager John Ensign. Though production was down the summer of 2001, over-winter fawn survival was excellent. Ensign said antelope have migrated out of dry areas with poor vegetation into areas with better forage conditions.
2002-10-04
ANTELOPE SEASON UPDATE
Antelope populations continue to surge in Montana as hunters prepare for another productive season. Antelope archery season is Sept. 7-Oct. 12 and antelope general season is Oct. 13-Nov. 10. Antelope hunters in Montana apply for permits distributed through a special drawing in August.
"Montana's relatively mild winters the past couple of years are responsible for continuing increases in most antelope populations around the state," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife bureau chief. "That growth means hunters will see increased hunting opportunities this fall."
Antelope hunting opportunities around the state will be similar to or even better than last year in most locations, with some significant increases in either-sex and doe/fawn licenses available in hunting districts in north central and eastern Montana.
Here's a rundown on what hunters can expect:
Region 2, Missoula and the surrounding area-- The only antelope herd occupies the east side of the Deer Lodge Valley. The herd appears to be expanding to the north and northeast. "Aerial surveys conducted during late July this year indicate a reduction in numbers from the all time high of 184 animals observed in 2001," said John Firebaugh, FWP wildlife manager. "The ratio of 26 fawns to 100 does is also lower than ratios from previous years, however, hunters should have no trouble finding antelope, providing they have access to private land." Antelope from this herd are reported to have spread north of Highway 12 as far as the Avon and Elliston areas.
FWP Region 3, Bozeman and the surrounding area--Populations are up some from last year, said Joel Peterson, FWP wildlife manager. "Improved moisture continues to favor antelope," said Peterson. "Good numbers of bucks are available in most areas of the region and hunting is expected to be as good or better than last year."
FWP Region 4, Great Falls and the surrounding area--Antelope are abundant after four consecutive mild winters and well-timed rainfall this summer. "In the past couple of winters we had good fawn survival, building up adult antelope numbers," said Graham Taylor, FWP Region 4 wildlife manager. "This summer's surveys show that good fawn production continues." A sizable surplus of antelope exists in FWP Region 4, with many of the larger antelope populations located on private lands. Taylor urges hunters to scout the herds and to make the necessary landowner contacts to obtain access. "Near record antelope numbers in some places, like hunting districts 480,481,490, 491 and 450, are meaningless if hunters haven't planned for access," Taylor said.
FWP Region 5, Billings and the surrounding area-- Many hunting districts are at or near record antelope populations, said Charlie Eustace, FWP Region 5 wildlife manager. Hunters in 66 percent of the hunting districts will be offered an additional doe/fawn license. In these districts, antelope average 7-8 animals per square mile of antelope habitat. Buck/doe ratios are very good, averaging about 46 bucks per 100 does in the areas surveyed this year. "Anyone wanting a buck should have an excellent chance of taking one home," Eustace said.
FWP Region 6, Glasgow and the surrounding area--Overall antelope numbers have dropped more than 10 percent from 2001 and fawns are down by 28 percent, said Harold Wentland, FWP Region 6 wildlife manager. The decline is mostly due to poor production in 2002 after a very dry summer in 2001, especially in the western portion of the region. Antelope appear to be especially sensitive to drought. "We have had considerably better moisture conditions this year than last. Antelope are going into this winter in much better condition than they were last winter and so we're expecting improved production, assuming a normal winter," Wentland said.
FWP Region 7, Miles City and the surrounding area--Antelope populations are holding their own, even with continuing drought. Overall numbers appear to be down about 10 percent from last summer, but are still running at the long-term average, said FWP Region 7 wildlife manager John Ensign. Though production was down the summer of 2001, over-winter fawn survival was excellent. Ensign said antelope have migrated out of dry areas with poor vegetation into areas with better forage conditions.
