Got elk? Montana does, and thousands of elk hunters are already planning for the hunt. Montana’s general elk hunting season opens Oct. 21.
"Hunters are going to see very healthy populations of elk and liberal hunting opportunities. If the weather works in hunters’ favor and they do some advance work to gain access where it’s needed, we should see a very successful harvest,” said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife division management bureau chief.
That is a big if. In the past several years Montana has experienced mild winters and late snows. Kujala pointed out that the mild weather has contributed to lower elk harvests in some areas of the state, despite additional elk hunting permits and more liberal seasons available.
Kujala also reminded hunters that where wildland fires burned recently, elk populations may have shifted location or be moving through the landscape in different ways.
Hunters may obtain a free Hunting Access guide from the FWP region where they plan to hunt and access FWP’s hunter tool kit on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov , on the hunter access page.
Here is an overview of 2007 elk hunting opportunities in the state. Western Montana
In FWP Region 1, in northwestern Montana near Kalispell, elk populations continue to increase. Spring surveys revealed a regional average of 23 calves per 100 cows. Over 1,600 elk were observed in the lower Clark Fork region during spring helicopter surveys. Other hot spots for elk in northwest Montana include the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, the Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge area of the Purcell Mountains and the North Fork of the Flathead River.
In FWP Region 2, biologists observed an increase in elk numbers in the spring spring aerial surveys. With the 2006 elk harvest up 22 percent from the long-term average harvest, the signs point to a good 2007 harvest if fall brings cool weather and snow.
North-central and Southwestern Montana
In the northern portion of FWP Region 3, in southwestern Montana, elk populations are within objective and reproduction has been good. In the Gravelly-Tobacco Root complex, hunting opportunities are liberal with the last four weeks of the season open for brow-tined and antlerless hunting. West of I-15, populations are within or slightly above objective and there are some liberal opportunities for hunting either-sex and antlerless elk. Elk numbers are also high in the eastern portion of FWP Region 3 with a liberal five-week brow-tined bull and antlerless elk season.
Elk populations in FWP Region 4, in north central Montana, remain strong throughout the region. There is also a good distribution of older age animals. Hunters should plan to make access arrangements before the season begins.
Eastern Montana
In FWP Region 5, in the Billings area, spring population surveys indicated that elk numbers are near and in some cases well above population objectives set in the statewide elk management plan. Bull numbers are also good. Hunters can look forward to good hunting with some of the most liberal elk seasons Montana has seen. A hunter’s challenge in some cases will be to obtain access to hunt on private land well in advance of the hunt.
In FWP Region 6, in the Missouri River Breaks and Bears Paw Mountains, elk numbers are nearly twice as high as management objectives set in the statewide elk management plan. All elk hunting is by special permit, but those hunters who drew permits should find abundant elk in core habitats. In the general-season elk hunting area north of U.S. Highway 2 in FWP Region 6, elk densities are very low.
In Eastern Montana, elk populations are building in the Missouri Breaks and the southern portions of FWP Region 7 with conditions that promote good winter survival and productivity. A recent survey in the Missouri Breaks found 48 bulls for every 100 cows. Of the bulls, 31 percent were yearling and 80 percent of the remaining bulls were six point or better. Wildlife managers remind hunters that water is available in many locations that are normally dry this time of year and that may influence elk distribution. Access to private land should be arranged well in advance of the hunt and may be difficult to obtain.
Montana’s elk season closes Nov. 25. For details on the season, see the 2007 Montana deer and elk regualtions available on the FWP web site under Hunting, Hunting Regulations, and at FWP offices and license providers.
For more information about hunting elk in Montana, visit FWP’s Deer, Elk & Antelope Hunting Guide and Montana’s online Animal Field Guide.
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