Antelope Season To Open October 7

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission decided Thursday to open Montana’s 2007 general antelope hunting season on Oct. 7, a week earlier than the date listed in Montana’s big game hunting regulations.

In Montana, the general antelope season opener is set by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission policy for the second Sunday in October.   This hunting-season standard often corresponds with the federal Columbus Day holiday, which annually falls on the second Monday in October. That’s Oct. 8 this year.

Due to the 2007 calendar progression, however, the second Sunday in October falls on Oct.14, which initially set the general antelope season to open week later than last year. This calendar cycle occurs every seven years.

The commission decided to open the general antelope-hunting season on Oct. 7 in response to requests to maintain the Columbus Day tradition. The general antelope-hunting season will run from Oct. 7 through Nov. 11, which offers hunters an extra week of antelope hunting this year.