Elk Season Extension Only for Special License or Permit Holders in Region 2

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials remind hunters that the two-week elk season extension in west-central Montana’s Region 2 only applies to hunters with special licenses or permits in specific hunting districts.   Hunters, including youth, holding only a general elk license may not hunt during the extended season in Region 2, and no special licenses or permits are available to purchase over the counter.

 

Hunters with the following permits and/or special licenses may pursue elk in FWP Region 2:

Upper Clark Fork:   Only open to hunters with a special antlerless elk permit in Hunting Districts 210, 212 or 213.   Permit holders in HD 213 may also use their A9/B12 antlerless elk license. Blackfoot:  

HD 281             Open only to hunters with a HD 281 antlerless elk permit.  

HD 283:            Open to hunters with a HD 283 antlerless elk permit.   Eligible permit holders in the HD 283 Rattlesnake area may also use their A9/B12 antlerless elk license. HD 285:            Open for either -sex elk only to hunters with an either-sex special permit.   Hunters with a 282-70 A7 license cannot hunt in HD 285 during the extension nor can they hunt in HD 282.

HD 290:             Open only to hunters with a 292-80 A9/B12 antlerless elk license.

HD 292:            Open only to hunters with a HD 292 antlerless elk permit or HD 292 A9/B12 antlerless elk license.

 

Bitterroot:   Open only to hunters with an antlerless (A7) elk license in HDs 261 and 270.   

The extended season is scheduled to run Nov. 26 through Dec. 9, but FWP can close any hunting district early under a 24-hour notice.   Hunters are encouraged to stay tuned to the local media and the FWP website for early closure information.

 

Hunting during the extended season is open on public lands and private lands with permission.   Some Region 2 Block Management Areas (BMAs) will be open to hunters during the extended season.   This information will be available beginning Nov. 25, and hunters must check the FWP Region 2 website fwp.mt.gov/r2 or call (406) 542-5515 for the updated list before hunting on a BMA.

 

The season extension is necessary to address low harvest because of mild weather over the past four weeks, and because the elk populations in these districts are above the established population management objectivess.

 

Hunters holding only a general elk license do have the opportunity to hunt elk in other parts of the state, including parts of FWP Regions 3, 4 and 5.   For a complete listing of hunting districts with extended seasons in other parts of the state, please visit the Fish, Wildlife & Parks website, fwp.mt.gov and click on “news.”

 

The general big game hunting season still ends November 25.   Hunting has not been extended for any other big game animals.

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