2005 Fall Hunting in Southeast Montana (Region 7)

The 2005 fall hunting seasons are about to begin, starting with an early antelope archery season, followed by the September opener for sharptailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, sage grouse, morning doves and fall turkey.

According to Bernie Hildebrand, Region 7 wildlife biologist, “Last winter was open and adult antelope survival has been good. The drought over the last several years has influenced fawn survival. Fawn carry over has increased over the 2004-2005 winter and spring.”

Hildebrand continued, “The upland game birds generally had good nesting and brood rearing conditions so the populations should be decent.” This is good news for the upland game bird hunters. It seems population levels vary a lot throughout the region. The country north of Miles City probably supports higher population densities than the rest of the region.

Howard Burt, wildlife biologist said, “Throughout the region we have good deer and antelope populations. Those populations are at or slightly above the long-term average.”

Elk hunters with a general elk license can harvest a cow elk outside of the National Forest boundary. This regulation applies to all of HD 702, 704 & 705. In HD 701 this regulation is only valid west of the Melstone-Sumatra-Meyers Road from October 23-November 27. The regulation does not apply to HD 700 and 703. The management goal is to maintain elk populations at a reasonable level to address landowner concerns and to balance the population with available habitat. In HD 703 either-sex elk may be harvested on a general elk license from Oct. 23-Nov. 27. The hunting district is mostly private land and the elk numbers may be low.

Antelope : High numbers, healthy animals with fair fawn over-winter survival (recruitment). Additional harvest opportunities are available for those who purchase an over the counter doe/fawn license. According to John Ensign, regional wildlife manager, “The summer survey showed 58 bucks/100 does and a good compliment of mature bucks. The antelope population is above the long-term average.”

Mule Deer : Adequate numbers to support a healthy population. Good winter survival and a strong yearling age class. According to Ensign, “Both the mule and white-tail deer populations are at or slightly above the long term average.” The spring surveys found fawn survival (recruitment) was reduced below previous levels.” The deer are distributed over a large geographic area as water is available in most reservoirs/ponds and good forage production occurred from abundant spring moisture.

White-tailed Deer : Most local populations are healthy with fair fawn recruitment. Extensive outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) have not occurred for the last few years.   According to Howard Burt recent surveys along the Yellowstone River, between Glendive and Crane, MT., showed excellent numbers of white-tailed deer. The population along the Yellowstone River seems to be increasing and the population in the upland prairie region appears stable.

Upland Game Birds: The upland game bird populations are fair to good.   Spring conditions were favorable toward nesting and brood rearing activities. Spring moisture was available to provide drinking water, it produced adequate vegetative cover for protection from predation and the insect population was good.  

Waterfowl : The outlook for waterfowl populations is bright. Spring rains provided excellent habitat for waterfowl production. The ponds, potholes and reservoirs across the eastern part of Montana and Canada were full and provided excellent brood rearing habitat.

Low Water Obstacles : Boaters should be cautious and alert to a wide variety of obstacles in the rivers. Anglers and boaters have reported several new and dangerous obstacles have surfaced in the Yellowstone River because of the low water levels.

Fall hunting seasons  

Labor Day signals the beginning of hunting season in Montana. Here are season dates for this fall bird and big-game seasons:

Mourning Dove:    Sept. 1-Oct. 30         

Sage Grouse:                 Sept. 1-Nov. 1

Sharptailed Grouse:             Sept. 1-Jan 1

Hungarian Partridge:             Sept. 1-Jan 1

Pheasant:                             Oct. 8- Jan. 1

Wild Turkey:                        Sept. 1-Jan 1

Archery Deer/Elk:                Sept. 3-Oct. 16

Archery Antelope:                Sept. 3-Oct. 8

Archery 900 series Antelope Aug 14-Nov 6

General Antelope:                Oct. 9-Nov. 6

General Deer/Elk:                Oct. 23-Nov. 27

Goose: Central Flyway:      Oct.1-Jan. 13             (Tentative: Final Dates Not Determined Yet)

Duck: Central Flyway:        Oct. 1- Jan. 5               (Tentative)

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