Anyone with a valid bull elk permit can take an antlerless elk instead in many parts of western Montana between Monday and Sunday, Nov. 16. After that, the restriction returns to brow-tined bulls only for the remainder of hunting season.
Bitterroot hunters face a quota on cow elk. The antlerless week could end early in hunting districts 204, 261 and parts of 270 north of Rye Creek after wardens count 100 cow elk through the Darby check station. They may close the rest of Hunting District 270 after 200 cow elk come through.
Hunter numbers were higher than average in the Seeley-Swan and Blackfoot regions, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden Jay Colby. However, their harvest numbers were the same as last year's, so far. Deer numbers were lower than average, Colby said, although new weather could change that.
“We had some clearly rutting deer come through the check station last weekend,” Colby said Friday. “Hunters reported seeing bucks cutting out does and getting more active. That should continue through Thanksgiving.”
In the Bitterroot, game warden Craig Jourdonnais said a couple of impressive bighorn sheep came through the Darby check station last week. More than half the hunters he spoke with also told of seeing sign of bear, wolf or mountain lion while in the woods.
“It's been great hiking weather, but not great hunting weather,” Jourdonnais said Friday. “If this rain turns to snow and we start moving elk out of the Big Hole and into the East Fork (of the Bitterroot River), things could change pretty quick. So far, that hasn't happened.”
Weather forecasts for the coming days aren't helpful. Patchy fog and above-freezing temperatures dominate the weekend predictions. Saturday around Missoula and Hamilton should be rainy with fog in the mornings and highs in the 40s. The moisture might turn to snow after midnight Saturday, but the daily high temperatures look to push into the 50s by Monday.
In the Bitterroot-Sapphire mountains, snow is more likely over the weekend. But it may only stick above 7,000 feet elevation, with nighttime low temperatures in the mid-20s and low 30s. In the Thompson Falls-Superior area, expect higher temperatures and rain Saturday and Sunday, with snow possible Saturday night.
Heading east of the Rockies might be more productive, weather-wise. An arctic cold front is blasting out of Canada, especially in the Billings area. But Great Falls and the Rocky Mountain Front are expected to get 1 to 4 inches of snow.
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)
Jamie wrote on Nov 8, 2008 6:03 AM: