- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,007
October 15, 2002
MT FW&P
Elk outlook for Montana
Of all big game animals, an elk gets a hunter's blood racing and pulse pounding. With the general hunting season for deer and elk opening Oct. 27, a lot of Montana hunters have elk on their minds.
Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists, who have elk on their minds 12 months of the year, say elk populations are thriving after several mild winters and less than ideal hunting conditions. More liberal season regulations should increase harvests around the state and snowy weather would further increase the opportunities for hunters.
FWP Region 1, Kalispell—Several mild winters with unfavorable hunting conditions have resulted in low harvests and increased elk populations in most areas of northwestern Montana. While elk numbers in the region are very good, hunter success is closely linked to snow. If the weather cooperates, the 2002 hunting season should be excellent. Spring population surveys conducted in several hunting districts show that antlerless elk and bull numbers are above the 10-year average in the areas surveyed. The average age of bulls harvested in FWP Region 1 is just over three years. There should continue to be a good distribution of older age animals available to hunters this season.
FWP Region 2, Missoula—Elk populations remain high throughout most of west-central Montana. Mild winters coupled with generally warm, dry hunting seasons and the resulting low harvests have helped increase elk populations. Based on population surveys conducted during the spring of 2002, antlerless-elk permits were increased in several hunting districts, including districts in the Blackfoot and Lower Clark Fork. If the weather cooperates, the 2002 hunting season has the potential to be very good.
FWP Region 3, Bozeman--In southwestern Montana, elk populations are generally increasing, with some areas of record growth. Hunting in most of the region should be similar to last year, or better. However, there were reductions in the number of antlerless-elk tags or brow-tined bull and antlerless-elk tags available in a few hunting districts. For example, in hunting district 380 in the Elkhorn Mountains, antlerless-elk permits and A7 elk licenses were reduced by 350. In the Gardiner late-season hunt, in hunting district 313, the antlerless quota was cut from 2,380 to 2,080. Reductions in both areas were due, in part, to lower recruitment.
FWP Region 4, Great Falls— Elk numbers are high throughout this central Montana region. Winter elk surveys on the Sun River Wildlife Management Area, for instance, showed 2,600 elk compared to the target population of 2,500. The objective for the Sun River herd is 2,500 animals. As a result, either-sex elk quotas were raised in hunting districts 424 and 442. Hunters with a regular license may take either a cow or bull elk in those districts until the quotas are reached. Harvested elk are counted against the quotas at FWP's Augusta check station. Once the quotas are reached, the remainder of the season reverts to brow-tined bull only. West of Lewistown, in the Little Belt Mountains, wildlife biologists say there are plenty of elk. No permit is required to hunt elk, just an over the counter elk license.
FWP Region 5, Billings— Elk hunting in south-central Montana is anticipated to be similar to last year, with some good opportunities for hunters if the weather cooperates. Mild winters with less than ideal hunting conditions have reduced harvests in the past few years and herds in the region are at record levels in many areas. The goal this season is to increase opportunities for hunters, so check the regulations. For example, in hunting district 560 there is an either sex general elk season Oct. 27-Nov. 3, followed by an antlered-bull season Nov. 4-Dec.1. Numerous block management areas have been added in the region too, so there should be improved access for elk hunting.
FWP Region 6, Glasgow—A special permit is required for elk hunting in this northeastern Montana region. The hunting seasons in the Missouri River Breaks, the Bears Paw Mountains and in northern Valley County all look very promising. Populations are growing, with high bull-to-cow ratios. Elk are the least affected by drought of any big game animals in this region and have maintained consistent productivity. In the Missouri River Breaks, summer rains with cooler temperatures improved forage, encouraging elk to disperse throughout the Breaks.
FWP Region 7, Miles City—While drought conditions persist in southeastern Montana, elk populations continue to increase and elk are beginning to move out of the hills and breaks onto the plains. Hunter access to private land in this region is limited and hunters are urged to obtain access in advance. For access information, contact FWP in Miles City at 406-232-0930. A general antlerless-elk season, to take more cow elk in hunting districts 702, 704, and 705, should increase hunter opportunities. However, the general antlerless-elk license can only be used in the portions of these districts that are outside of the Custer National Forest boundaries. Hunters will also not be able to drive within the Custer National Forest in the Long Pines area of the Sioux District due to road closures related to fire damage.
The 2002 big game hunting regulations provide details on the elk hunting seasons and regulations for each hunting district. Regulations are available at all FWP region offices, the FWP headquarters in Helena and FWP license providers' establishments.
MT FW&P
Elk outlook for Montana
Of all big game animals, an elk gets a hunter's blood racing and pulse pounding. With the general hunting season for deer and elk opening Oct. 27, a lot of Montana hunters have elk on their minds.
Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists, who have elk on their minds 12 months of the year, say elk populations are thriving after several mild winters and less than ideal hunting conditions. More liberal season regulations should increase harvests around the state and snowy weather would further increase the opportunities for hunters.
FWP Region 1, Kalispell—Several mild winters with unfavorable hunting conditions have resulted in low harvests and increased elk populations in most areas of northwestern Montana. While elk numbers in the region are very good, hunter success is closely linked to snow. If the weather cooperates, the 2002 hunting season should be excellent. Spring population surveys conducted in several hunting districts show that antlerless elk and bull numbers are above the 10-year average in the areas surveyed. The average age of bulls harvested in FWP Region 1 is just over three years. There should continue to be a good distribution of older age animals available to hunters this season.
FWP Region 2, Missoula—Elk populations remain high throughout most of west-central Montana. Mild winters coupled with generally warm, dry hunting seasons and the resulting low harvests have helped increase elk populations. Based on population surveys conducted during the spring of 2002, antlerless-elk permits were increased in several hunting districts, including districts in the Blackfoot and Lower Clark Fork. If the weather cooperates, the 2002 hunting season has the potential to be very good.
FWP Region 3, Bozeman--In southwestern Montana, elk populations are generally increasing, with some areas of record growth. Hunting in most of the region should be similar to last year, or better. However, there were reductions in the number of antlerless-elk tags or brow-tined bull and antlerless-elk tags available in a few hunting districts. For example, in hunting district 380 in the Elkhorn Mountains, antlerless-elk permits and A7 elk licenses were reduced by 350. In the Gardiner late-season hunt, in hunting district 313, the antlerless quota was cut from 2,380 to 2,080. Reductions in both areas were due, in part, to lower recruitment.
FWP Region 4, Great Falls— Elk numbers are high throughout this central Montana region. Winter elk surveys on the Sun River Wildlife Management Area, for instance, showed 2,600 elk compared to the target population of 2,500. The objective for the Sun River herd is 2,500 animals. As a result, either-sex elk quotas were raised in hunting districts 424 and 442. Hunters with a regular license may take either a cow or bull elk in those districts until the quotas are reached. Harvested elk are counted against the quotas at FWP's Augusta check station. Once the quotas are reached, the remainder of the season reverts to brow-tined bull only. West of Lewistown, in the Little Belt Mountains, wildlife biologists say there are plenty of elk. No permit is required to hunt elk, just an over the counter elk license.
FWP Region 5, Billings— Elk hunting in south-central Montana is anticipated to be similar to last year, with some good opportunities for hunters if the weather cooperates. Mild winters with less than ideal hunting conditions have reduced harvests in the past few years and herds in the region are at record levels in many areas. The goal this season is to increase opportunities for hunters, so check the regulations. For example, in hunting district 560 there is an either sex general elk season Oct. 27-Nov. 3, followed by an antlered-bull season Nov. 4-Dec.1. Numerous block management areas have been added in the region too, so there should be improved access for elk hunting.
FWP Region 6, Glasgow—A special permit is required for elk hunting in this northeastern Montana region. The hunting seasons in the Missouri River Breaks, the Bears Paw Mountains and in northern Valley County all look very promising. Populations are growing, with high bull-to-cow ratios. Elk are the least affected by drought of any big game animals in this region and have maintained consistent productivity. In the Missouri River Breaks, summer rains with cooler temperatures improved forage, encouraging elk to disperse throughout the Breaks.
FWP Region 7, Miles City—While drought conditions persist in southeastern Montana, elk populations continue to increase and elk are beginning to move out of the hills and breaks onto the plains. Hunter access to private land in this region is limited and hunters are urged to obtain access in advance. For access information, contact FWP in Miles City at 406-232-0930. A general antlerless-elk season, to take more cow elk in hunting districts 702, 704, and 705, should increase hunter opportunities. However, the general antlerless-elk license can only be used in the portions of these districts that are outside of the Custer National Forest boundaries. Hunters will also not be able to drive within the Custer National Forest in the Long Pines area of the Sioux District due to road closures related to fire damage.
The 2002 big game hunting regulations provide details on the elk hunting seasons and regulations for each hunting district. Regulations are available at all FWP region offices, the FWP headquarters in Helena and FWP license providers' establishments.
