Hunter numbers, success below long-term averages for pronghorns in Region 5 opener
Hunter numbers and success during the general antelope hunting season's opening weekend was below long-term averages in south-central Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks operated biological game check stations in Big Timber, Broadview and Billings on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12-13. The general antelope season is open until Nov. 10.
Big Timber
Hunter success was highest at the Big Timber check station at 70%. Over the weekend, 185 hunters visited the check station, which is down slightly from opening weekend last year and well below the long-term average of 288 hunters for the same weekend.
FWP staff checked 111 antelope — 95 males and 16 females — at this check station. Thirteen of these males had horns 14 inches or longer.
Upland bird hunter numbers were similar to opening weekend last year at 43 hunters. Three elk and one mountain goat were also checked.
The Broadview check station saw the highest number of hunters but the lowest success rate for the region. Of the 204 hunters that stopped only 29% had harvested big game. Hunter numbers were up slightly from last year, while hunter success was lower this year.
Fifty-seven antelope were checked. Of these, 50 were males and two of these had horns 14 inches or larger.
FWP staff also checked 27 bird hunters, which is consistent with the same weekend last year. Two mule deer and one elk were also checked.
The Billings check station had the fewest number of hunters over the weekend at just 137. Of these, 39% had harvested big game.
FWP did not operate the Billings check station for the opening weekend of the general antelope season last year due to staffing shortages. Over the same weekend in 2022, 94 hunters visited.
FWP also checked one moose, three elk and 21 bird hunters with a mix of pheasants, grouse and Hungarian partridge.
All hunters are required to stop at game check stations, regardless of success. No biological check stations will operate this weekend, Oct. 19-20. In south-central Montana, check stations in Billings, Lavina, Columbus and Big Timber will operate on both Saturday, Oct. 26, and Sunday, Oct. 27, for the opening weekend of the general deer and elk season.
