Antelope numbers depend on how these unique prairie animals survive the winter. "Montana’s relatively mild winters the past couple of years are responsible for some nice increases in antelope populations around the state," said Glenn Erickson, FWP wildlife bureau chief. "Growing populations translate into increased hunting opportunities." Antelope hunters in Montana apply for permits distributed through a special drawing in June. Antelope archery season is September 1 to October 6 and the antelope general season is October 7 to November 4. The number of permits available in a hunting district reflects population as measured by the number of antelope fawns per 100 does seen in the area during mid-summer flights. Biologists do total antelope population counts about every three years. In Region 2 in southwestern Montana, the antelope population has been gradually growing in Hunting District 215, the one antelope hunting district in the region," said John Firebaugh, FWP wildlife manager. "Good winter survival is partly responsible." In FWP Region 3 in south central Montana, populations have been stable to increasing the past five years and in general better than 10 years ago, said Joel Peterson, FWP wildlife manager. "Fawn recruitment is ranging from the low 30’s to the 80’s, with 50 or more fawns per 100 does in many Region 3 hunting districts," Peterson said. "That’s good in this area, especially with the drought we’ve been experiencing." In some hunting districts in FWP Region 3 antelope permits increased this year. In FWP Region 4 in the north central part of the state, antelope are abundant after two or three consecutive mild winters. "A lot of fawns survived the last couple of winters, increasing our adult antelope numbers which were further improved by fawn to doe ratios of 40 to 60 fawns per 100 does," said Graham Taylor, FWP Region 4. FWP increased antelope hunting permits this year in some Region 4 hunting districts. "We need to harvest some of these animals so the rest have enough forage over winter this year, but we couldn’t sustain this number of hunting permits year after year," Taylor said. Many hunting districts in FWP Region 5 in south central Montana are at or near record antelope populations, said Charlie Eustace, FWP Region 5 wildlife manager. Fawn to doe ratios are good in most areas, running 60 to 80 antelope fawns per 100 does. Buck numbers vary from 38 to 58 bucks per 100 does. "We made substantial increases in the numbers of antelope permits issued this year and expect that we may be able to go to a doe/fawn permit issued to successful either-sex permit holders next year," Eustace said. Antelope hunting permits also increased throughout FWP Region 6 in northeastern Montana, except in Valley County where fawn’s didn’t do as well. "Overall, our antelope numbers are trending up into the highest numbers we’ve seen for awhile," said FWP wildlife manager Harold Wentland. "Antelope hunting here in Region 6 is going to be a lot better than the pheasant hunting will be." Wentland said biologists counted 100 fawns per 100 antelope does in some areas in Hill County and in the range of 80 fawns per 100 antelope does in Blain County. In other counties in the region between 30 and 45 fawns were counted per 100 does. Antelope populations in FWP Region 7, in southeastern Montana, also experienced an increase over the past year. "We saw excellent survival of fawns from the past year, so we have a lot of adult yearlings this year too young to have fawns. This dilutes the fawn to doe ratio some," said FWP Region 7 wildlife manager John Ensign. When the survey numbers are adjusted for this factor, about 75 to 109 fawns were produced per 100 does. "High winter survival of fawns and good fawn production this year mean that we could see a nice boost in antelope numbers next year, if we have a mild winter," said Ensign. Ensign reports that the antelope in southeastern Montana are dispersed rather than bunched up like they usually are this time of year when succulent forbs that make up the bulk of an antelope’s summer diet normally begin to dry up. "If it continues green, hunters may see smaller groups of 5 to 10 animals rather than the usual groups of 15 to 25, so the numbers may appear to be down to the hunter, but in actual fact the population is doing well," Ensign said.
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