The final results are in from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Havre check station for the 2024 hunting season. The check station was open for eight weekends from Oct. 12 (the opener of general antelope and pheasant) through Dec. 1 (the end of the deer/elk general season). Overall, hunter numbers were down from recent years, big game numbers were below average, and upland bird harvest was mixed.
Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations. FWP appreciates all hunters’ cooperation in this effort. Note that the harvest data described below includes only animals that were brought through the Havre check station and represents a real-time partial representation of the region-wide harvest. FWP subsequently conducts a telephone survey throughout the winter to estimate hunting and harvest levels throughout the region and across the state.
Hunter numbers that stopped at the check station (1,657) were down 18% from 2023, and 7% below the long-term average.
“Hunter numbers at the check station were the lowest we have seen since 2015,” noted Havre-area biologist Scott Hemmer, who manages the station.
Mule deer brought by the check station totaled 370 for the year, which was down 31% from last year and 32% below the long-term average, and the lowest seen since 2015. Mule deer doe harvest was down the most at 59% below the average, while buck harvest was 21% below average. Reduced mule deer doe harvest was expected this year with fewer antlerless mule deer licenses issued and restrictions on antlerless mule deer harvest on public land.
For the year, 118 white-tailed deer were brought by the station, which was 21% lower than 2023, and 23% below the long-term average.
“Hunter reports were variable throughout the region, but most indicated lower numbers of deer this year,” said Hemmer. “Some hunters reported seeing decent numbers of antlerless deer and young bucks, but fewer older bucks.”
The number of antelope checked, whose general season ended on Nov. 10, saw slightly lower numbers than 2023, and 39% below the long-term average. 150 antelope were brought by the check station this year.
“Most antelope hunters reported improved numbers of antelope seen compared to recent years,” said Hemmer. “Although the number of antelope checked was still low, hunter success was still fair.”
For the year, 19 elk were recorded, which is 24% below last year and 51% below the long-term average. A reduction in elk harvest, particularly from Missouri Breaks hunting districts, was expected due to fewer antlerless elk licenses issued for those districts in response to below objective elk populations.
For the eight weeks that the check station was open, the pheasant harvest of 719 birds was about the same as last year, and near the long-term average. Sharp-tailed grouse (122 birds) harvest was 25% below last year’s total, but only 4% below the long-term average. Gray (Hungarian) partridge harvest (100) was below last year’s banner year, but still well above the long-term average.
“Reports from the western half of the region generally indicated considerably better upland bird numbers than the past several years,” noted Hemmer. “Reports from the eastern half of the region indicated that although bird numbers were still fair, they were down from the last couple years when numbers were better than average.”
Duck harvest (65) was down slightly from last year and slightly above the long-term average.
FWP Region 6 thanks all hunters for stopping by the check station.
“Overall, it appeared a lot of hunters were able to make it out into the field this fall,” said Hemmer. “We sure appreciate and enjoy visiting with the hunters that come by the check station, and it’s great to hear stories about a successful hunt. Thanks for stopping by!”
