Region 6 Havre Check Station Results After Opening Weekend Of General Hunting Season

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Havre hunter check station was active over the weekend of general deer and elk opener (Oct. 21-22), with the number of hunters checked the highest in recent history. The youth deer season also coincided with the general season opener, which tends to increase hunter participation, and the weather was warm and dry. This was the third weekend that the check station has been open, as the station began collecting data Oct. 7 and 8 for the opening weekend of pheasant and general antelope.

There were 386 hunters in 167 parties checked over the weekend, which was 56 percent higher than last year and 59 percent above the long-term average. During the three weekends the check station has been open, overall hunter numbers (832) are slightly higher than last year and 29 percent above the long-term average.

“Weather conditions have been very favorable for hunter participation and access these three weeks,” says Scott Hemmer, Havre area biologist, “which is likely one reason we are seeing the high hunter numbers.”

The 76 mule deer checked was up from last year and 25 percent above the long-term average. White-tailed deer harvest over the weekend (19) was above both last year and the long-term average.

However, considering the high numbers of hunters, “success per deer hunter” was actually 15 percent below the long-term average.

“Hunter reports on deer numbers were mixed, but the overall trend was that hunters were seeing fewer deer then in recent years,” adds Hemmer.

Antelope harvest is about the same as last year, with 164 antelope checked in since general antelope season opened. This is still 24 percent below long-term average.

“Hunters have reported seeing fewer numbers of antelope,” says Hemmer. “Overall antelope populations and license quotas are still below the long-term average in most districts which may explain why overall harvest is below the long-term average.”

There have been seven elk brought by the check station this year, which is just below the long-term average, with five elk being checked over the rifle opening weekend.

For the first three weeks that the check station has been open, the pheasant harvest of 490 birds is above last year’s numbers and just below the long-term average. Sharp-tailed grouse (116 birds) are well above last year and the long-term average. Gray (Hungarian) partridge (88) are above both last year and the long-term average.

“Hunters have had good reports on upland bird numbers, which we expected due to the better moisture conditions this year,” said Hemmer. “The high percentage of juvenile birds indicates improved production and brood survival compared to the last few years.”

Although relatively few waterfowl typically pass through the check station, more ducks and geese were harvested then normal.

Please remember that all hunters are required by law to stop as directed at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting, even if they have no game to be checked. There is an option to have animals sampled for CWD if desired. Please follow all directions and signs from FWP staff as they work diligently to check game, answer questions, and get you on your way.

Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations, and FWP wildlife staff appreciate all hunters’ cooperation in this effort. Note that the harvest data described above includes only animals that were brought through the Havre check station and is only a partial representation of the region-wide harvest.