Montana FWP Reports Hunter Success of 18% to 35% at Four Region 5 Check Stations

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks counted 1,077 hunters at four south-central check stations over the Oct. 24-25 opening weekend of general big game season, against 1,087 last year, the agency said in a release from Billings dated Oct. 29.

The stations sit in Big Timber, Columbus, Lavina and Billings, which make up Region 5, FWP’s south-central Montana district. The season opened Saturday, Oct. 24, in mild and sunny weather. Hunter participation was at or above last year’s at three of the four stations, and success was above last year’s at all four. Success rates ranged from 18% at Lavina to 35% at Big Timber.

Staff checked 81 mule deer, compared with 64 last year, and 63 white-tailed deer, compared with 51. Antelope came in at 41, up from 25. Elk were the one species down, at 78 against 84.

Big Timber had the region’s highest elk count at 29, consistent with recent years and above the long-term average. White-tailed deer, mule deer and antelope harvests there were above last year’s opening weekend but below the long-term average. Its 35% success rate follows the region’s long-term trend.

Columbus hunter numbers were nearly identical to last year’s but below the long-term average. Its 32% success rate is the highest since 2021. The 23 mule deer checked there were the most since 2017, though still under the long-term opening-weekend average of 35. Elk harvest was below last year’s and consistent with the long-term average.

Lavina drew the most hunters in the region. Its 474 hunters topped the weekend average of 449, and its 18% success rate was also above average. White-tailed deer and antelope harvests were above recent years and above long-term averages. Mule deer and elk were consistent with long-term averages.

Billings recorded 241 hunters, down from 326 last year. Success there was 24%, the highest since 2021. White-tailed deer and antelope harvests were above last year’s, while elk and mule deer were below.

Biological check stations do not sample every harvested animal. They capture hunter and harvest trends for wildlife management, and staff record participation, success, and the species, sex and age class of each animal checked.

All hunters must stop at game check stations, regardless of success. Deer, elk and antelope regulations are online, and the release gives no closing date for the season.