montana elk population map 2020

Shoulder seasons will vary in timing and function from hunting district to hunting district. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Some cooperators who enroll land in the Block Management Program have chosen to allow public elk hunting ONLY during the archery only and general firearms hunting seasons. The exception is hunting district 570 between Columbus and Harlowton, where antelope numbers remain slightly above average. Aerial surveys of deer populations in southeast Montana indicate that both mule deer and white-tailed deer remain above long-term average numbers. In HD 703 and in the rest of 701, hunters can pursue either-sex elk with a general license. carry a fire extinguisher or water to quickly snuff any potential fires. Southeast Montana experienced another summer with good rainfall, but conditions are rapidly drying out and fire restrictions are being implemented. Along the Beartooth front, white-tailed deer numbers are quite low with some improvement as one moves north. Pronghorn hunting licenses remain reduced in response to the change. Mule deer numbers along the Southern Rocky Mountain Front, and overall hunting opportunity remains the same as in recent years. Phone: (406) 752-5501 “Deer should again be going into the hunting season and winter in good body condition.”. If a shoulder season in a hunting district does not meet the performance criteria, FWP would not propose to continue the shoulder season. Here are a few things hunters can do to show respect for private landowners during this dry season: Northwest Montana experienced a mild winter last year, which resulted in good adult and fawn survival for white-tailed deer. The Tendoy elk management unit (HDs 300, 302 and 328) continued to exceed management objectives after the 2019 hunting season, and long-term data trends indicate a stable population. Previously, it was only valid for antlerless elk. The Montana Legislature, through statute (MCA 87-1-323), Gov. “This spring we saw a recruitment of 61 fawns per 100 adults,” Foster said. Hunters will need to look at the specific Block Management Area maps and the chart in the Block Management Hunting Access Guide to determine when public elk hunting will be allowed on a specific Block Management Area. “We’ve had good precipitation again this year, although the summer has been hotter and drier than the last couple years, but still mule deer look to be in good shape with respect to fawn production and survival,” she said. The primary purpose of elk shoulder seasons is to reduce elk populations in areas that are over population objective as outlined in the Montana Elk Management Plan. “The message here is that the extra windshield time to reach the southeast corner of Region 7 is absolutely worth it,” Foster said. Sure, we'd all wish for a trophy bull elkhunt in a prime western state location during the peak of the rut. A shoulder season in no way grants anyone permission to hunt on private land. This fall, hunters without game will be directed to quickly move through FWP check stations. Numbers are still below long-term averages, but fawn production was good, especially in areas with more cropland. The 2019-20 winter was lighter than in 2018-19, so ungulate survival was generally robust in the Bridger, Gallatin and Madison ranges (deer and elk HDs 301, 309, 310, 311, 321, 360, 361 and 362; and pronghorn HDs 311 and 360). Despite these statistics, FWP has consistently seen a much higher number of moose, including moose with calves, during collaring efforts (which happen to occur a little later than surveys each year). “Whitetails counts were overall 11 percent above last year, but trend areas in different parts of the region had mixed results,” Foster said. Montana law (MCA 87-1-323) requires Fish, Wildlife & Parks to manage elk populations to objective, and both Gov. Montana – 1995 elk population = 109,500, no harvest data for 1995. Hunting District 422 remains well above its population objective levels of 450 to 550 elk. Current Wolf Population, Trend, Status Number of wolves: about 900 in 2017 (as estimated by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks) Population trend: Stable Legal status: State managed as of May 5, 2011. Region-wide, doe/fawn licenses (007-30) remain relatively low at 1,500, where they have been since 2016. Outdoors New study finds surface disturbance can limit mule deer migration This change provides more opportunity for sportsmen, reduces accidental harvest of spike bulls, and is not expected to have a measurable impact on bull numbers. The recruitment rate for mule deer fawns is also solid, climbing steadily since 2010. Buck to doe ratios are considered good at 24 bucks per 100 does. “Mule deer are looking good,” Foster said, “Numbers are about 15 percent above last year and 33 percent above long-term average.”. Elk numbers in the Bears Paw area were above the 15-year average based on the 2018 aerial survey. Distance and elevation gain (calculated from contour lines) give a quick estimate of slope. It is a second opportunity license that is available only to those hunters who drew a 007-20 and/or 007-30 antelope license (which are valid in all of Region 7). With a sprawling land mass of 145,552.43 square miles, there are only three bigger states in the US. These declines are associated with similar declines in fawn production. Bull hunting is by permit only in HDs 700, 702, 704, 705 and the far western portion of 701. Hunters may encounter some changes to how some Bureau of Land Management and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation motorized routes are signed around Dillon. The total “elk plan objective” population for the state is 92,138. Again, those wishing to harvest an antelope in southeastern Montana, especially a doe or fawn, will have the greatest opportunity in the southern portion of the region. If lack of access during the general season is the main reason for not meeting harvest criteria, then the hunting district(s) or a portion of the hunting district may, at the Commission’s discretion, shift to antlerless only. Season proposals that might include one or more option will continue to be initiated by regional staff. (Photo source: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks), When it comes to long-range shooting and hunting, a new cartridge contender has made its debut. Seasons have been liberalized in some areas along the Wyoming border since 2017 in response to chronic wasting disease being discovered in deer for the first time in Montana. In HD 703 and in the rest of 701, hunters can pursue either-sex elk with a general license. Liberal harvest opportunity remains in this district to include early and late shoulder season hunting opportunity on both a general license and or elk B licenses.

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