Interest high in extended elk season

An antleress elk “shoulder season” targeting over-populations on private lands will begin in five northcentral Montana hunting districts Monday, and the extended season is drawing extremely high interest from hunters, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The shoulder-season hunts are pilot projects approved earlier this month by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission for hunting districts on the north and east sides of the Big Belts, the Castle Mountains and in the Missouri River Breaks.

They are aimed at reducing elk populations in some areas, and begin the day after the regular season closes Sunday.

“There’s going to be a lot of hunters out there,” said Gary Bertellotti, supervisor of FWP’s Great Falls-based Region 4, the location of the hunting districts.

He based that prediction on the “non-stop” phone calls FWP has received the past week from hunters about the shoulder season.

Interest is high because the extended season is new, and hunters are getting an another opportunity to get an elk, he said. The high interest also demonstrates the popularity of elk hunting in Montana, he said.

In anticipation of strong interest in the post-season hunts, state wildlife officials are contacting landowners and working out details for hunters interested in participating.

The elk shoulder-seasons in hunting districts 445, 446, 449, and 452 will begin Monday and end Feb. 15.

The shoulder-season in hunting district 410 will begin Jan. 1 and end Feb. 15.

“Most landowners are very receptive in these hunting districts to help in this effort to get elk numbers back to objective, and we’re grateful for that,” Bertellotti said.

Hunt coordinators will assist hunters in what landowners are providing access, how to access the land and elk patterns, Bertellotti said.

“We’re trying to facilitate access as well as getting folks to where elk are so we can provide a better elk harvest for elk management,” he said.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider a statewide shoulder season for 2016-17.

All hunts are for antlerless elk, mostly on private lands but some state and Bureau of Land Management land as well. No hunting will be allowed on Forest Service Land or the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge or state wildlife management areas.

In all, 80 of Montana’s 138 elk management units are over objective to some degree, and the hunts are aimed at reducing populations and reducing damage to private property where they are congregating.

Should Montana's elk hunting season be expanded?

“They have concentrated on private land in these late fall and early winter seasons causing game damage,” Bertellotti said.

The goal is two-fold: Harvest more elk and push them onto public lands where they won’t do any harm.

Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private lands and FWP stressed that they will not need to register or be selected from a roster.

In hunting districts 445, 446, 449, and 452, hunters only need a valid 2015 general elk license or a Region 4 004-00 “B” license to participate. Hunters with valid either-sex elk permits for hunting district 445 — and a valid 2015 general elk license — can also participate but can only harvest antlerless elk.

In hunting district 410, hunters must possess a valid 2015 410-20 either-sex permit or 410-00 “B” license to participate.

For information, visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Elk Shoulder Seasons.” On Monday, hunters can call hunt coordinators in White Sulphur Springs at 406-564-2090 and Great Falls at 406-454-5869.

Heading into the final days of Montana’s big game general season, harvest numbers for elk and white-tailed deer remain above the 10-year average on the Rocky Mountain Front, while mule deer numbers are below the long-term average, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“The elk harvest is about one-quarter above the 10-year average,” Brent Lonner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist, said in a news release. “The majority of that harvest continues to be cow elk.”

The numbers were collected at FWP’s Augusta check station, the department’s sole Region 4 biological check station, and apply only to a handful of hunting districts on the Rocky Mountain Front.

Elk hunters so far this year have brought in 319 animals (108 bulls, 181 cows and 30 calves) compared to the 10-year average of 243 elk.

Mule deer at the check station have numbered 177 bucks. The 10-year average is 243 animals.

White-tailed deer numbers stand at 215 (136 bucks, 55 does and 24 fawns), while the 10-year average is 189.

What are elk shoulder seasons?

Shoulder seasons may be used to create elk-hunting opportunities with firearms before and after the general archery and rifle seasons to increase harvest and improve management in specific places, mostly on private lands where elk numbers exceed local elk population objectives.

Where are the elk shoulder-seasons for this year?

Hunting districts 410, Missouri Breaks; 445, Hound Creek; 446, Northeast Big Belt Mountains, 449, Castle Mountains east; and 452, Castle Mountains west. These pilot-project opportunities are available on private lands, federal Bureau of Land Management lands, and Montana School Trust Lands only. No elk shoulder seasons will occur on national forest lands, the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge or on any FWP wildlife management areas.

When will the elk shoulder-seasons begin and end?

Nov. 30 to Feb. 15 in hunting districts 445, 446, 449, and 452 and Jan. 1 to Feb. 15 in 410.

What licenses and/or permits are required?

Hunting during elk shoulder seasons will be for antlerless elk only. In hunting districts 445, 446, 449, and 452 hunters only need a valid 2015 general elk license or a Region 4 004-00 “B” license to participate. Hunters with valid 2015 either-sex elk permits for hunting district 445 – and a valid general elk license can participate but can only harvest antlerless elk. In hunting district 410, hunters must possess a valid 2015 410-20 either-sex permit or 410-00 “B” license to participate. There is no general license hunting opportunity in hunting district 410.

Can hunters purchase a 2015 license to participate after the general season ends Nov. 29?

Yes, as long as they haven’t already harvested two elk.

What access options are available to hunters?

Hunters need to be prepared to arrange their own permission with landowners in the same way they do during the archery and general hunting seasons.

Are bull elk included in these elk shoulder seasons?

No. Hunters can only take antlerless elk during these shoulder seasons.

How can I keep informed?

For more information, visit the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov. Click “Elk Shoulder Seasons.” On Monday, hunters can call hunt coordinators in White Sulphur Springs at 406-564-2090 and Great Falls at 406-454-5869.