Antelope hunters in Montana can expect some good antelope hunting this fall, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials say.
Fawn production and winter survival have been good in the past couple of winters and antelope numbers are at average or above average levels this fall across the state.
"Antelope hunting may be as good as last year or better in much of the state, with some populations in eastern and north central Montana offering some very good hunting opportunities,” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife management bureau chief.
Montana’s antelope archery season is Sept. 1-Oct. 13 and the general rifle season for antelope is Oct. 7-Nov. 11. During the overlap of the archery-only antelope season and the general rifle antelope season from Oct. 7-13, antelope archery hunters are required to wear hunter orange.
Antelope hunters in central and southeastern Montana may see signs of a recent outbreak of a insect-borne viral disease called bluetongue that is moving through big game populations. Wildlife biologists suspect that deer in some areas may also be succumbing to epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, that, like bluetongue, is transmitted by biting gnats. Bluetongue and EHD outbreaks usually subside when nightime temperatures drop below freezing, killing the insects.
Here’s a rundown on what hunters can expect to see out there this season.
Eastern Montana Near Glasgow, Glendive and Miles City (FWP Regions 6 and7)
Antelope hunting will be fair in the western third of FWP Region 6, though hunters will see relatively few fawns. The bright spot in the region is hunting district 620 in southern Phillips County, where overall populations and the ratio of antelope bucks to does are at 10-year highs. In McCone, Richland, and Valley counties, expect fair to slightly below average antelope numbers.
In FWP Region 7 the antelope population overall is about 25 percent above the long-term average with good winter survival. There is some sign of blue tongue, or EHD, in the Ingomar area.
Surveys indicate a high ratio of bucks to does: 64 bucks for every 100 does. Hunters will find good numbers of antelope across the region, especially in the sagebrush-grasslands.
South Central Montana Near Billings (FWP Region 5)
Antelope hunting is expected to be similar to last season with generally stable populations. Summer surveys indicate buck numbers are near average to slightly below average in most areas.
Hunters may notice reduced antelope numbers in hunting districts 530, 540, and adjacent areas due to a recent outbreak of bluetongue, and what may be in some cases EHD, along the Musselshell River.
Hunters are reminded to act early in seeking information on Block Management areas and in requesting access to private lands.
North Central Montana Near Great Falls (FWP Region 4)
Antelope hunting is expected to be very good, with strong populations and good public hunting access. A mild winter, coupled with lush vegetation in some areas, boosted antelope survival. Hunters should inquire about surplus antelope doe/fawn licenses at the FWP Region 4 office in Great Falls.
Western and Southwestern Montana Near Missoula, Butte, Bozeman (FWP Regions 2 and 3)
FWP Region 2’s lone antelope population, located in the Deer Lodge Valley, is increasing in size and distribution. Population numbers are now above 200, and antelope once concentrated on the east side of the Deer Lodge Valley are expanding north of Highway 12 between Garrison and Avon. Antelope doe to fawn ratios are good across FWP Region 3, and hunters should expect some success especially in the Centennial, Upper Big Hole, Shields and Madison Valleys.
For details on these and other hunting opportunities, contact the nearest FWP region office or visit FWP’s Interactive Hunt Planner and the Deer, Elk, & Antelope Hunting Guide.
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