MISSOULA — State wildlife officials have released the final numbers for the big game hunting season in Western Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) reported checking 10,225 hunters with 837 harvested game animals at its three long-standing check stations in western Montana from opening day on October 26 until the general big game hunting season ended on Sunday afternoon.
The season started off with unusually early winter conditions, contributing to stronger than normal deer and elk harvests in the first few weeks, but wrapped up with average to below-average totals in some spots.