Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to ponder mule deer hunting restrictions June 7, 2023 Billings Gazette

...  recommending to change mule deer hunting regulations to bucks only in 17 eastern districts this season following population declines due to drought and the severe winter..,

Livestock industry's war on wildlife at Montana Legislature May 7, 2023  Daily Inter Lake

... The Legislature also killed a bi-partisan bill that would have simply required the consideration of wildlife-friendly fencing on state-owned lands that are leased for grazing in order to reduce mortality of elk, deer and antelope while enhancing migratory corridors...

FWP Begins Scoping for Conservation Easement on Thompson River Timberland May 5, 2023 Montana, Flathead Beacon

...  would permanently protect 47,907 acres of former Weyerhauser timberland in the Upper Thompson River drainage west of Kalispell... would conserve a movement corridor for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and moose ...

Livestock industry's war on wildlife at Legislature April 24, 2023 The Missoula Current News

... The Legislature also killed a bi-partisan bill that would have simply required the consideration of wildlife-friendly fencing on state-owned lands that are leased for grazing in order to reduce mortality of elk, deer and antelope while enhancing migratory corridors...

Montana FWP looking into declining mule deer populations April 22, 2023 montanarightnow

... Almost 40 percent of hunters said they would choose to hunt mule deer bucks once every several years if it meant having the opportunity to harvest a mature buck... 

Momentum grows for wildlife crossings on southwest Montana highways April 14, 2023 Montana, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

... Economists calculated that between 2008 and 2017, vehicle collisions with deer, elk and moose in Montana amounted to an estimated $87 million in associated costs, annually...

Montana State University releases reports on wildlife crossing structures March 27, 2023 Montana, Explore Big Sky

... Montana State University released 14 reports as part of a $1.2 million project to identify cost-effective solutions to animal-vehicle collisions that support habitat connectivity and wildlife conservation ... “This is the most comprehensive analysis yet of what’s working and how we can make it better,” ..

Consensus hunting, access bills progress through Legislature March 19, 2023 Montana, ABC Fox Montana

... The six bills this session range from widely supported increases to the popular Block Management program and reducing nonresident doe deer licenses to a bill that has fractured groups on the public hunting side. That legislation would create a nonresident landowner preference pool for hunting licenses...

Why is the Forest Service Destroying Critical Mule Deer Habitat? March 13, 2023 Montana, CounterPunch

...  Almost half of the Ashland Ranger District of the Custer-Gallatin National Forest in southeastern Montana has burned in recent wildfires. This has severely impacted mule deer habitat, resulting in a declining mule deer population which will continue to fall if the Forest Service goes forward with its proposed South Otter logging and burning project on 292,000 acres (456 sq. miles) of public lands...

Telling a buck deer's age by its antlers is difficult  March 8, 2023 Montana, Missoulian

... A 1-year-old buck ... may have straight, small antlers referred to as spikes. Or it could have a small set of antlers with forks ... deer with three tines — the sharp points — isn’t necessarily a 3-year-old deer. In fact, a 2-year-old male deer may have four tines, or points, on each of its two antlers...

A rare opportunity for a win-win on elk management March 8, 2023 Montana, Independent Record

... HB 635 sets aside 15% of non-resident elk/deer combination licenses for qualified non-resident landowners. To qualify, non-resident landowners must own 2,500 acres and are limited to hunting on their own land and/or lands leased for agriculture ...

New tools and common ground for elk management March 8, 2023 Montana, Missoulian

... Senate Bill 281, sponsored by Sen. Pat Flowers (D-Belgrade), would reduce the sale of nonresident deer B tags to alleviate crowding on accessible lands...

Deer die-off in Darby likely caused by illegal feeding February 9, 2023 Billings Gazette

... multiple deer where found dead or dying in the town of Darby after ingesting what appears to be whole-kernel corn... three reports in two days within a two-block area on the west side of town, although other deer have reportedly been found on the east side of town as well. All the animals found alive had to be euthanized due to their condition...

Chronic wasting disease detected in Great Falls mule deer buck Febrary 8, 2023 Montana FWP News

... chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a mule deer buck found dead within the city limits of Great Falls in January. The adult buck was observed acting abnormally by a property owner, who later found the dead deer inside a building on the property. Biologists collected samples from the deer, and they were confirmed to be positive for CWD in two separate laboratory tests...

She Moved to Montana and Befriended a Deer. What Happened Next Is Tragic January 16, 2023  Newsweek

... while Williams was unpacking their truck, a mother deer with her two fawns appeared, peering around the shed...[later] her tragic experience with a mother deer, whom she comforted for three days in sub-zero temperatures as the animal lay dying outside her rural Montana home after being attacked by a predator... 

Chronic Wasting Disease, Federal funding could help Montana FWP curb deer disease January 2, 2023 Missoula Current

... Montana had one case in 1998 at a captive elk farm near Philipsburg. That led to Montana outlawing game farms, and no infected wild animals were found in Montana until 2017 when some turned up in southeast Montana. It’s suspected that they migrated from Wyoming... in the lower Ruby River valley ...The disease has been found in 45% of the deer killed ..,

Death By Feeding December, 2022 Montana Outdoors

... sudden changes spell trouble.  A mismatch of meals to microbes can lead

to digestive diseases, including rumen acidosis (known as “grain overload” in cattle), which Ross says the Idaho wildlife department “strongly suspects” is responsible for the deaths of the two moose in Clark Fork.  Ramsey says that acidosis is something she considers “when we have a really rapiddeath,” particularly in big game animals in otherwise decent condition with access to unnatural food sources. She explains that a highcarb meal of corn or other grain, birdseed, apples, or rich hay can set in motion a dangerous cycle ...

Governor Gianforte’s War on Wildlife December 21, 2022 Montana, CounterPunch

... A United Property Owners lawsuit aims to make wildlife, now owned by all Montanan’s, their private herds, with no reporting or license necessary... 

Commission delays action on elk hunting change near Yellowstone December 21, 2022 Montana, Bozeman Daily Chronicle

... The district’s elk population has recovered enough to not be impacted by returning to a five-week season, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Big Game Bureau Chief Brian Wakeling said during the meeting. Right now, its 6,000 animals are above the district’s elk population target of 4,000, according to FWP...

Chronic wasting disease detected in deer killed near Gallatin Gateway, a first for the area December 14, 2022 Montana, Billings Gazette

...  recently detected in a whitetail buck killed by a hunter in Hunting District 304 ... This marks the first detection in the Gallatin Gateway area, along the hunting district’s eastern border with HD 309...

Chronic wasting disease management hunt starts Saturday for part of the lower Ruby Valley December 10, 2022 Montana, Longview News-Journal

... This season, CWD has been found in about 45 percent of hunter-harvested white-tailed deer, including 80-percent prevalence in adult bucks, within the boundaries of the management hunt area...

Helena, FWP approves removal of 250 Helena deer, the biggest quota to date  December 8, 2022 Montana, Independent Record

... a culling program that began in 2008 ... “Since the inception of this program, there have only been two years (2008 and 2009) where we have removed 200 deer in one season,” ...

Bitterroot Valley moose population holding steady December 7, 2022 Montana, Missoulian

... “We do surveys for mule deer and for elk from a helicopter and from a plane ... but you just can't do that with moose,” ... biologists do have indices that help them look for trends in population, such as hunter success rates, and number of hunter days per successful harvest ...

Despite 'ideal' conditions, 2022 sees record low hunting numbers December 6, 2022 Montana, Great Falls Tribune

... Despite “ideal” hunting conditions in November, the number of hunters passing through Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks’ (FWP) Augusta check station during the 2022 hunting season was the fewest in 30 years, resulting in near-record low big game animal harvest numbers not seen since the early 1980s..,

Making “Habitat Quality” Meaningful: Quantifying Demographic Effects of Habitat in Two Sympatric Species 2022 Montana, University of Montana,  AK Moeller

...  Habitat quality may be an underlying factor driving or exacerbating mule deer ... population declines across their range and concurrent white-tailed deer ... population increases... I found a high degree of habitat overlap between mule deer and white-tailed deer and little support for niche

differentiation between the two species during summer but not winter... The survival model showed little connection between survival and winter severity, nutritional availability, or drought, suggesting that population-level survival of deer cannot be

predicted by environmental conditions ...

Deer, elk hunter numbers down across much of state December 2, 2022 Montana, Billings Gazette

... numbers of both mule and white-tailed deer were down following last year's extreme drought and hemorrhagic disease outbreaks... The Augusta check station ... reported the lowest number of hunters in 30 years with the number of game animals the second lowest in almost 40 years..,

First confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease in Cascade County December 2, 2022 Montana, KRTV

... a mule deer in hunting district 405 north of Belt; the district encompasses areas northeast of Great Falls...

Fewer hunters, more elk in '22 hunting season November 30, 2022 Montana, Missoulian

... more of those hunters were successful than in previous years. Hunter success rates in Region 2 are usually around 8%. This year, hunters had a success rate of 10.5% across the region's three primary stations. The Fish Creek station reported 7.7% hunter success, in line with 2021 and 2020. Elk totals were up at each of the four stations, with a total of 296 elk ...

Firefighters rescue deer from Clark Fork River in Missoula November 18, 2022 Montana, kpax

... a doe and her baby that fell through the ice ... details on Facebook. ..

Fewer mule deer B tags in portions of Eastern Montana this hunting season November 15, 2022 Montana, Billings Gazette

...  largely due to drought, as well as some areas of localized mortality from an epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak last year... Mule deer counts in southeast Montana, for example, were 36% below 2021 numbers and 47% below the long-term average..,

State lawmakers can help solve elk management November 14, 2022 Montana, The Montana Standard

... Montana is suffering from reduced habitat quality on public lands, particularly in the northwest part of the state which has suffered elk population declines, increased predation on elk, and a lack of habitat diversity. Meanwhile many private lands in eastern and central Montana are withering under prolonged drought which has stressed land productivity...

Chronic Wasting Disease confirmed for first time in Belt hunting district November 11, 2022 Montana, Great Falls Tribune

... a case of chronic wasting disease in a mule deer buck recently harvested from hunting district 405, about 10 miles north of the town of Belt. It is the first time an animal infected with chronic wasting disease, or CWD, has been confirmed in the district since statewide testing began more than three years ago..,

MDT to begin wildlife fencing project near St. Ignatius November 10, 2022 NBC Montana

... These project elements are designed to reduce the likelihood of vehicle collisions with wildlife such as grizzly bears, white-tailed deer, black bears, and mule deer...

CWD detected for first time in hunting district 311 near Cardwell  November 9, 2022 Montana, The Madisonian

... chronic wasting disease in a white-tailed deer buck  ... a white-tailed deer buck that was harvested by a hunter in hunting district 311.  The deer was harvested about 1 mile northeast of Cardwell on the south side of Interstate 90. This marks the first CWD detection in hunting district 311 ..,

Albino deer found dead in Billings  November 1, 2022 Montana, ktvq

...  After calling Billings home for at least the last 10 years ... Many were heartbroken to see a post appear on social media Sunday stating the body of the doe had been found in a ravine with her head removed...

Helena starts deer count as part of culling program October 13, 2022 September 13, 2022 Montana, Independent Record

... The Urban Wildlife Program may receive approval from FWP to remove deer from within the city to maintain a previously established population density of 25 deer per square mile, which was established by Helena’s Urban Wildlife Task Force ...

Montana and Idaho are 'hellbent' on eradicating Yellowstone wolves September 10, 2022 Raw Story

... Supporters of more permissive wolf hunting measures have argued a high wolf population in some places means the animals are killing more elk, deer and moose...

FWP to hold statewide Zoom meeting on revisions to Elk Management Plan, September 2, 2022, Montana FWP News

... On Sept. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m., staff will host a question-and-answer session via Zoom. To participate in the online session, you must register at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/elk-plan-scoping by noon on Sept. 25.

Videos from regional elk scoping meetings can be viewed at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/elk-plan-scoping... Information relative to elk population objectives in each region and some other things FWP would like your feedback on can be found online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/elk-plan-scoping.

The 2022 Montana Big Game Forecast  August 30, 2022 FWP News

... Much of Northwest Montana experienced its third consecutive mild winter last year, benefiting white-tailed deer... Overall, mule deer numbers should be similar to last year with a continued influx of yearling bucks ... Opportunities to hunt mule deer are somewhat limited in western Montana ...,

Harve, City of Havre Urban Deer Management Plan August 28, 2022 Montana FWP

FWP is proposing the commission approve the City of Havre Deer Management Action Plan.  The plan contains strategies that can effectively remove urban deer.  To comment and for more information on these proposals, go online to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/october-2022-meeting.

Montana Land Board votes to protect new wildlife area  August 18, 2022, ABC Fox Bozeman

... The 829-acre Willow Creek parcel will now be protected as a wildlife habitat and public access will be increased. The property is an important habitat for elk, mule deer, moose, antelope, and many other species...

Elk management group passes recommendations on to FWP director August 4 2022 Montana, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks News

... after 10 meetings and much deliberation, the Elk Management Citizen Advisory Group has forwarded its recommendations to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks ... one of three pieces of a larger effort aimed at improving elk management in Montana ... The second piece of the process is the Private Lands/Public Wildlife (PLPW) committee ... The third piece is the ongoing process of scoping for management objectives ...

Montana Is on the Brink of Destroying One of Its Conservation Programs August 4, 2022 Outdoor Life

... “There’s a message to landowners, with all the delays and uncertainty surrounding conservation easements, that it’s not worth your time to go down this road, because there’s no guarantee that anything will come of it,” ...

Lower Overall Numbers of Deer Found in FWP Region 6 July 13, 2022 Montana, Hi-Line Today

... A significant drought in 2021 had impacts on the mule deer numbers across the region ... The 2022 winter surveys for white-tailed deer show a density of 7.3 deer per square mile across the trend areas.  This is below the long-term average of 10.6 ..,

FWP seeks public input on local elk management issues June 9, 2022 Montana, FWP News

...Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will be hosting a series of public meetings this summer and fall to gather ideas about local elk management issues and population objectives. Meeting places, times and details are posted on the FWP website...

Idaho man Gets 10 Years for Trafficking Wild Animal Body Parts in Montana June 2, 2022 Montana, Big Country News

... unlawfully bought 11 black bear gall bladders, four black bears, 24 black bear paws, three mountain lions, two mule deer, one elk and seven bobcats ... sentenced to 10 years with the Montana Department of Corrections with all but 100 days suspended ...

A Wilder View: Wolves impacting deer and moose behaviors in important way May 26, 2022 Montana, KPAX

... "We began researching moose population decline over a decade ago and discovered that brain worm is the primary driver of adult mortality,” said Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Director of Biology and Environment Seth Moore.  About 25% of moose die from this parasite...

Hoeven, Daines bill tackles chronic wasting disease May 2, 2022 Montana,  Ripon Advance

... U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on April 28 unveiled bipartisan legislation to provide $70 million per year to equally support both the research and management of chronic wasting disease ...

FWP asks people to stay away from wildlife management areas April 29, 2022 Montana, KECI - NBC Montana

... “When wildlife encounter people this time of year and it creates a stressful situation for them, they're having to burn precious calories that they very much need this time of year, and so by keeping our distance from wildlife this time of year, we're helping them survive,” ...

Missouri River Breaks Elk Surveys Completed April 14, 2022 Montana Hunting and Fishing Information

... In total, 1,292 elk were observed in 621 and 622, a decrease of 35% from the 2020 survey. Elk numbers are below the population objective level of 1,400-1,650 set by the 2005 Montana Elk Management Plan. The calf to cow ratio for this portion of the Missouri River Breaks is 23 calves per 100 cows, which is lower than the average of 45...

Elk Management Advisory Group to Meet April 14  Apr 8, 2022 1:44 PM Montana FWP News

... For more information about the advisory group and to watch the April 14 meeting, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/elk-management-citizen-advisory-group...

More groups allege, sue over delays in Montana government records requests March 29, 2022 Missoula Current

... Wolves of the Rockies has filed six requests with the agency related to wolf hunting and trapping, none of which have been answered.  .. “We decided the public needs to know why so many more nonresidents are showing up the Montana to hunt elk and deer,” ...

Land Agreement in Montana Raises Habitat Fragmentation Concerns March 24, 2022 Field & Stream

...  a plan to divide 17 acres near the Huson interchange ... “Highway 93 north and south, and along I-90 east and west, how do you provide wildlife connectivity in these ever more fragmented landscapes?” ...

Sportsmen publish report on elk, mule deer to inform Lolo Forest Plan March 21, 2022 Missoula Current

... “It’s mainly the explosion of recreation and development that is probably the worst ... Everything’s getting built on. These animals need to move from seasonal range to seasonal range, and this development pressure can disrupt all that.” ...

Members selected for elk management advisory group March 18, 2022 Montana, FWP News

... The 12-member group will help craft a new future for elk management and elk hunting in Montana... The members were selected for the diversity of viewpoints they represent and their expressed eagerness to make progress on the complex challenges facing elk management in Montana...

Four men ordered to pay $50,000 in 'disturbing poaching case'  February 16, 2022 Montana, For The Win

... sentenced in Montana’s 16th Judicial District Court in Garfield County for their roles in unlawfully taking 48 game animals, bringing a close to an investigation that began in 2014...

A Wilder View: The unique sleeping habits of animals Fenruary 16, 2022 Montana, KPAX

... deer have a pretty short sleep schedule averaging 3-4 hours in 24 hours.  A big reason for this is to ensure they are alert most of the day looking for predators, and because their bodies require lots of energy so they have to eat a lot...

Access Improved to Key Montana Elk Winter Range February 14, 2022 Wrangler Network

... The 40-acre tract in the Big Hole Valley was previously a private inholding surrounded on three sides by BLM-managed lands. Now falling under BLM management, it ensures winter range for elk, mule deer and moose remains connected...

Commission adopts shorter mule deer season for parts of western Montana February 8, 2022 Montana, Missoulian

... Mule deer bucks become particularly vulnerable to hunters during the rut ... wildlife managers say that mule deer in northwest Montana’s Region 1 and west-central Region 2 have declined, with habitat a prevailing issue. Other factors driving populations include predation, weather and competition with elk ...

Comments taken on easement for 114,000 acres of timberland February 4, 2022 Montana, Western News

... The easement would prevent development to protect wildlife habitat, provide landscape connectivity and allow public access for recreational opportunities, according to FWP.  The land would also conserve key winter range and a movement corridor for elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer and moose ...

Applicants requested for elk management advisory group February 1, 2022 Montana FWP

     As elk populations continue to be a concern across the state, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is convening a citizens advisory group to address the future of elk management. The 12-member group will be tasked with developing new and creative ideas and recommendations and helping build new relationships among stakeholders passionate about elk management in Montana.  Applications are available online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/elk-management-citizen-advisory-group...

Neighbors mobilize to free deer  January 26, 2022 Montana, scledger.net

... A group of Plains residents worked together last week to free a young whitetail doe that was caught in a rope attached to a plastic sled...

CWD Research Gets $100,000 Boost from RMEF January 18, 2022  Montana Hunting and Fishing Information

...  The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a founding member and sponsor of the Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance, provided $100,000 in grant funding to assist three research projects promoting the scientific understanding of CWD...

What Montana can learn from Wyoming's approach to wildlife crossings January 10, 2021 Montana Free Press

... 4% of the state’s mule deer population is killed every year in vehicle collisions ... Wyoming identified 240 stretches of roadway of special concern for wildlife mortality...

FWP supervisor retires suddenly prior to elk season upheaval January 6, 2022 Missoula Current

... FWP is losing biologists or can’t find people willing to take on wildlife supervisory positions. In just one year, FWP and the state of Montana have pushed through a lot of changes related to wildlife management, and few if any, are backed by science. In fact, FWP Chief of Staff Quentin Kujala said in May that Worsech has put an end to long-term research projects...

Elk numbers central, but not only consideration in new Montana management plan December 30, 2021 Montana, Helena Independent Record

... Despite a legal mandate to manage elk populations to objectives, elk herds in many hunting districts have far exceeded those targets.... He has talked to ranchers where herds are 800% over objective, but when broaching the idea of reducing elk to objective, there’s an acknowledgement that “we can’t go there.” ...

Shorter mule deer seasons advanced for parts of western Montana December 15, 2021 Billings Gazette

... “I don’t think it’s any secret that we’ve seen a decline in the overall mule deer population over the last decade, probably the last two decades, all across northwest Montana and I think that would apply to other states with similar habitat,” Neil Anderson, Region 1’s wildlife program manager told the commission...

Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting December 14, 2021, Montana FWP News

     The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet on Tuesday, December 14 at 8:30 am. The meeting will be held at the Montana State Capitol in Room 317... The public will also be able to view the proposals on the FWP website: fwp.mt.gov ... The commission will hear the following proposals:  2022–2023 Elk hunting regulations, season structures, and hunting district boundaries.  2022–2023 Deer hunting regulations, season structures, and hunting district boundaries ...

Chronic wasting disease detected in a white-tailed deer near Livingston December 10, 2021 Montana, MTPR

... Chronic wasting disease was recently detected for the first time near Livingston...  found in a white-tailed deer in hunting district 317 southeast of Livingston and north of Yellowstone Park ...

Helena deer cull underway; FWP approves removal of 200 December 10, 2021 Montana, Independent Record

... a two-year hiatus due to budget cuts... a population density of 39.5 deer per square mile [deer density recommendations]  The program has been in place since 2008...

Elk harvest down in Bitterroot, no general hunting extension planned November 24, 2021 Montana, Ravalli Republic... “We have had a light harvest this season,” ... We are fine with growing elk and deer numbers where the animals are living mostly on public land. It’s private land where we are trying to get harvest under control.” ...

Chronic wasting disease found in deer in Baker November 13, 2021 Montana, Daily Montanan

... detected in a mule deer buck that was euthanized within Baker city limits.. ... residents reported the buck was acting lethargic and was visibly emaciated and had droopy ears, which are classic symptoms of the disease.

Must Montana's Wolves Die? October 26, 2021 Earth Island Institute

... Montana’s estimated 800 to 1,270 gray wolves face an onslaught from hunters and trappers empowered by lethal new laws. Hunters are now allowed to use unlimited numbers of steel-clawed leg traps that hold wolves captive ..,

Fort Keogh hunting opportunity pulled due to fires, fewer deer  October 22, 2021 Montana, The Billings Gazette

... Citing recent fires and low deer populations, one of the largest Block Management Areas in southeastern Montana shut down its hunter access program ... This is especially important during times when there’s little else for deer to eat...

Wildlife managers and biologists in Montana vent frustration  October 11, 2011 Big News Network.com

... believes the state has approved controversial methods for hunting predators like wolves, outside of fair chase hunting ethics and signal a move away from bipartisan wildlife management...

Nonprofit, partners provide $3.3 Million for conservation projects October 8, 2021 Montana, Argus Observer

... Harney County: Remove encroaching junipers from 665 acres of aspen, mountain mahogany and sagebrush habitat on the BLM Burns District to improve elk and deer forage. Oregon State University is also conducting long-term research in the immediate area to measure benefits to elk, mule deer, birds and vegetation...

Helena plans to resume urban deer culling October 4, 2021 Montana, Independent Record

... After the survey is complete, the data collected will be sent to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists to determine the number of deer per square mile. The Urban Wildlife Program may receive approval from FWP to remove deer from within the city to maintain a previously established population density of 25 deer per square mile ...

Northwest Montana's mule deer are big travelers September 30, 2021 Daily Inter Lake

... on the Rocky Mountain Front, for example, of 44 deer that were studied, 34 were considered migratory, nine were residents and one was residential and migratory... mountain lion predation was the leading known cause of mortality, imposing 6-11% annual mortality upon adult females ...

Montana wolf hunt criticized by Yellowstone Park superintendent September 27, 2021 Montana, Helena Independent Record

... The legislation approved snaring and a longer hunting season, as well as baiting and night hunting at the discretion of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. Lawmakers cited reduced elk and deer populations in northwestern Montana for the changes...

What's New with Chronic Wasting Disease? September 17, 2021 Montana, Flathead Beacon

... FWP wildlife officials have tested 18,854 animal species since 2017, with 456 positive samples as of Sept. 13. The species sampled included 123 positive detections in mule deer, 327 positive detections in white-tailed deer, one elk, and two moose (these were Montana’s first detections in moose and wild elk..,

Big game hunting in southwest Montana could be shaped by drought, winter conditions September 1, 2021 Montana, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle

... Mild weather last winter meant survival among big game species was mostly good across southwest Montana ... Exceptional drought in southwest Montana during the summer months resulted in limited forage ...

Mule deer on the move: Study finds that they'll travel more than 50 miles to summer and winter ranges September 1, 2021 Montana, hungryhorsenews.com

... ‘Accessing high quality forage during summer is critical for mule deer because it strongly influences over-winter survival,” ... “In all study areas, mountain lion predation was the leading known cause of mortality, imposing 6-11% annual mortality upon adult females across regions,” ...

2021 Big Game Hunting Forecast  August 27, 2021 Montana Department of  Fish Wildlife and Parks News

... Northwest Montana experienced its second consecutive mild winter last year, which has resulted in good (above-average) fawn recruitment and adult survival for ... deer... Southwest Montana is experiencing exceptional drought this year..,

Elk Responses to Management Hunting and Hazing 2021 Journal of Wildlife Management, ...  The proportion of elk using conflict zones was reduced by hunting, modestly reduced by hazing and increasing snowpack for 1 study area, increased at night, and decreased by a seasonal trend across months. The time individual elk remained away from conflict zones increased with the number of hazing events that occurred during an event and showed a modest seasonal trend increasing across months.,,

What changes wildfires and droughts can make to Montana's big game animals August 5, 2021 Montana, KTVH

... "While we don’t typically see a lot of direct mortality loss as a result of those fires, they certainly displace wildlife and then they wind up competing with other wildlife that already exists in other situations, ” ... Mild winters, that result in fire seasons like we’re dealing with now, also mean higher winter survival rates for the state's deer, elk, moose ...

Selling Out Wildlife During a Drought  August 6, 2021 Montana, CounterPunch

...The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MDFWP) announced that due to the extreme drought conditions across Montana, it would open up some wildlife management areas (WMA) to livestock grazing and haying...

Drought likely to shape Montana's hunting seasons August 2, 2021 Montana, Independent Record

... Most big game herds fared pretty well following a mild winter by Montana standards... Persistent drought this summer affected green up ...Whitetails overall seem to be doing better than mule deer and elk tend to be less sensitive to extreme summer conditions,..,

FWP seeks comment on several wildlife-related proposals June 29, 2021 Montana, FWP News

     Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public review and comment on several wildlife-related items approved for comment during the recent Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. Proposals include the 2021 wolf hunting and trapping season, nongame check-off workplan, pheasant releases, Jordan urban wildlife plan, 2021 elk and deer muzzleloader season, 2021 elk shoulder season and 2021 contractual public elk hunting access agreements.  More information on these items can be found on the FWP website under “Public Comment Opportunities” at https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/public-comment-opportunities...

Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approves Calf Creek project January 24, 2021 Montana, Ravalli Republic

... looks to turn back the clock by removing or killing conifers that have encroached on the grasslands on the elk winter range over the last 80 years... The smaller trees will be cut, piled and burned. The larger trees — some are over 60 years old — will be girdled and left to fall over in time...

State takes aim on scents, lures in battle with CWD June 17,2021 Montana, Daily Inter Lake

... In an effort to limit the spread of chronic wasting disease, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is poised to curb the use of cover scents and lures hunters use in pursuit of game animals...

Libby approves deer management plan May 18, 2021 Montana, The Western News

... An analysis released in early 2020 indicated that 13 out of every 100 deer in the city suffered from CWD ... As for culling the population, the plan calls for assisting FWP in tracking the number of deer in Libby...

Deer populations strong in NE Montana's Region 6 May 18, 2021 Montana, Billings Gazette

... The 2021 spring surveys of trend areas showed region wide populations at 84% above long-term average and a 28% increase from the previous survey. The regionwide fawn-to-adult ratios were about average, with 55 fawns to 100 adults.

“The winter of 2020-2021 was generally mild and very favorable for wintering deer ..,

Little change in Bitterroot elk herd numbers this spring May 15, 2021 Montana, Ravalli Republic

... counted 7,631 elk this spring during the annual spring survey... The overall numbers were a little bit down from the last time Mowry was able to do a spring survey in 2019. Last year’s count from the air was canceled due to the pandemic...

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ 2020 Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance and Monitoring Report May 14, 2021 

... During the 2020 season, FWP tested 7974 samples from mule deer (n=3108), white-tailed deer (n=4088), elk (n=729), and moose (n=49). Of these, 271 animals tested positive for CWD, including 38 mule deer and 233 white-tailed deer. In 2020, we detected CWD in 6 new hunting districts, including: 309, 314, 320, 324, 326, and 622.

     Among CWD-positive hunt districts across the state, prevalence estimated from hunter-harvested animals sampled from 2017-2020 ranged from <1% -7% in mule deer and <1% - 25% in white-tailed deer..,

FWP working to implement new wolf laws May 10, 2021 Montana, Helena Independent Record

... wildlife managers are not expected to propose specific population targets for wolves as they implement a new law mandating a reduction in the state’s wolf numbers...  reports from hunters about a lack of deer and elk ...

Libby CWD, Wildlife management plan likely to pass by resolution April 27, 2021 Montana, The Western News

... Officials opted to tackle deer first because of the high prevalence of chronic wasting disease within city limits.  Though fewer animals tested for the disease came back positive this year, in 2020 officials estimated that 13 out of every 100 of the animals within city limits were infected..,

Gianforte signs wolf trapper 'reimbursement' bill April 23, 2021 Montana Standard

... a bill Friday allowing private payment for expenses to successful wolf trappers and hunters...  protect elk and deer populations, and as a general means of predator control ...

FWP Seeks Public Comment On Elk Management Guiding Principles, Chronic Wasting Disease April 21, 2021 Montana, The Roundup

... Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on Elk Management Guiding Principles ... view and comment on the Guiding Principles and CWD Management Plan ... Public comments will be accepted through Monday, May 3, 5 p.m ...

Cull sheds light on CWD, test sought for detection in live animals April 15, 2021 Montana, American Veterinary Medical Association

... The USDA and NASA’s Detect to Protect Challenge: A Live Animal Test will award cash prizes totaling $170,000 to develop proof of concept for a diagnostic test that will successfully detect CWD in samples from live animals provided by the USDA for the challenge...

Happy Hunters with Permits Plan for upcoming Deer and Elk Season April 14, 2021 Montana, Newstalk KGVO

... more than 82,000 residents, and 16,000 non residents apply for permits this year ... That is a 13% increase in residents and a 30% increase in non residents..,

Sportsmen's license sales in Montana at all-time high as new FWP commission settles in April 1, 2021 Missoula Current

... Block Management sections in FWP Region 6 recorded more than 79,000 hunter days this past fall, a 34% increase over 2019... For those who thought last fall’s hunting season felt a little crowded, early indications are that this fall will be even more so..,

Elk Management in Montana Shows the Blind Spots of Our North American Model of Wildlife Conservation March 15, 2021 Montana, Outdoor Life Magazine

... hunters—who want access to more elk—and landowners, who want fewer elk but who also don’t want to open their ranches to public hunting...

Wildlife bills would turn last best place into worst  March 3, 2021 Montana, The Missoulian

... Twelve other states banned or restricted snares. Montana allows snares year-round. Wolves are the exception, unless Rep. Fielder's HB 224, passes. Snares cost a couple of bucks, are inconspicuous, lightweight, and trappers' favorite. Alaska Fish and Game biologists estimate 1% of moose are caught and killed in wolf snares...

Montana looks to improve winter range at two Bitterroot wildlife management areas February 27, 2021 Ravalli Republic

... The reason is that we’re trying to improve habitat for elk and deer ... The sagebrush has been shaded out over the years. The conifer encroachment is the result of fire suppression over a long period... trees are being ground into mulch this winter to open up the forest and allow for more forage to grow...

Late hunt finds more infected deer in SW Montana February 23, 2021 Montana, Billings Gazette

... resulted in 52 out of 305 deer testing positive for chronic wasting disease... FWP staff have observed CWD prevalence rates of 3% in Hunting District 320, and 13% in Hunting Districts 324 and 326 ...

'Doing my part': Hunters, landowners and wildlife managers team up to fight chronic wasting disease in southwest Montana February 21, 2021, The Bozeman Daily Chronicle

... Data collected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks during last year’s general hunting season indicated prevalence of CWD in whitetails in and around the Ruby Valley ranged from 8.3% in Hunting District 320 to as high as 50% in a specific portion of district 322...

Bill to set aside hunting licenses for outfitters’ clients advances, but without set-aside February 16, 2021 Montana, Missoula Current

... 40 percent of non-resident licenses would be awarded in an early draw, between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15 of the hunting year, for those who wanted to pay an extra $300 for the privilege...

Montanans Back Protection of Big Game Migration Routes New Poll Shows February 8, 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts

...  in early November by the research firms New Bridge Strategy and FM3, found that 88% of respondents view wildlife as important to their quality of life in the state and that 83% believe that wildlife are important for the state’s economy...

Guest opinion: Bill is an aggressive attack on hunting February 7, 2021 Montana, Billings Gazette

... HJ5, sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida, R-Lolo, states that taxing firearms is unconstitutional, and unenforceable. Apparently, Rep. Tschida and supporters of this measure don’t like Montana’s abundant wildlife, the habitat that supports it ... those funds have conserved key wildlife refuges. We’ve used it for habitat restoration. And it funds state wildlife agencies whose biologists employ scientific management...

Extended wolf trapping seasons draws debate January 29, 2021 Montana Standard

... Hunters in northwest Montana where wolf densities are highest have reported fewer deer, elk and moose in recent years ... Recommendations brought to the commission to increase wolf harvest went ignored, and HB 225 would provide legislative direction to move forward ...

Montana lawmakers considering several wolf management bills January 20, 2021 Montana, Helena Independent Record

... “Basically every drainage you go into you find wolves and the packs just keep expanding,” Brown said of the areas he hunts. “With elk and deer numbers, you’re not seeing them up in the hills. You might still see quite a few but they’re pushed down out of the hills and onto private land.” ...

Montana Wildlife Migration Strategy Helps Big Game and Economy January 11, 2021 The Pew Charitable Trusts

... The strategy focuses resources on mapping, conservation, and public education programs about migrating mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and other big game—species that are vital to hunting and wildlife tourism and help support Montana’s $2.5 billion outdoor economy...

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) detected on Blackfeet reservation December 23, 2020 Montana, Cut Bank Pioneer Press

... a tribal hunter harvested a whitetail deer from the Meriwether Road area on Nov. 11, which tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) ...

Values and Management of Montana's Green Ash Draws Green ash woodlands provide shelter for livestock and important habitat for a wide range of wildlife   December 2020, MSU, P Lesica, C Marlow

... Research indicates that green ash woodlands provide important escape cover, travel corridors, late summer and winter forage, and fawning grounds for white-tailed and mule deer. Although these woodlands comprised approximately one percent of available habitat in McCone County, five percent of all mule and white-tailed deer observations occurred in them...

Fish and Wildlife Commission approves CWD management hunt in several Region 3 hunting districts December 14, 2020 Montana, FWC News

... The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission last week unanimously approved a chronic wasting disease management hunt for white-tailed deer in several hunting districts in southwest Montana...

Montana officials approve extra deer hunt to slow CWD December 11, 2020 Bozeman Daily Chronicle

... High rates of chronic wasting disease in and around the Ruby Valley have prompted officials to ramp up the killing of white-tailed deer in nine hunting districts across southwest Montana...

FWP completes 1st phase of conifer removal project on Mt. Haggin WMA December 9, 2020 EIN News

... Photo analyses over the past 40 years revealed significant conifer tree expansion into sagebrush shrublands, grasslands, aspen stands and riparian areas ...  treatment is expected to increase year-round forage and browse available to elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn and ruffed grouse...

Deadly CWD Reaches Outskirts Of Bozeman December 9, 2020 Montana, Mountain Journal

... of greatest immediate worry, officials say, is a cluster of CWD involving whitetails along the lower Ruby River near Sheridan. There, Montana’s wildlife agency collected 335 tissue samples from dead deer taken in Hunting District 322 and 78 of those, to date, have tested positive...

What was up with all those ‘velvet’ mule deer bucks this year? December 9, 2020 Montana, FWP News

...  Hunters across northcentral and northeast Montana reported seeing a large number of mule deer bucks in velvet this general hunting season. The reason may lie in the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease outbreak that affected deer in several areas across the region this fall. Although EHD is often fatal in white-tailed deer, mule deer can still acquire the disease and, according to some studies, it may not always be fatal but instead affect testosterone production in bucks..,

CWD study results still coming in December 9, 2020 Montana, scledger.net

... From July 1 through Dec. 3, testing has detected 134 positive cases so far... Since 2017, FWP has sampled 17,960 deer, elk and moose combined statewide, with 316 positives..,

Hunters see mixed success during Montana's big game season December 4, 2020 

Helena Independent Record

... “Hunting regulations didn’t change much between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and last year was a mild winter,” Thompson said. “Given that, we hoped to see a harvest that tracked with last season, and we did with a few localized exceptions that we’ll follow up on with other survey work.”..,

Elk, mule deer harvest down along Rocky Mountain Front; whitetail harvest up December 2, 2020 Montana, Billings Gazette

... The mule deer harvest was 22 percent below the 10-year average and 36 percent below the 20-year average ...Elk harvest was 44 percent below the 10-year average and 37 percent below the 20-year average. ... Whitetails ... was the highest for at least the last 25 years ...

Average end to big game season in west-central Montana November 30, 2020 KPAX-TV

... “Hunting regulations didn’t change much between the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and last year was a mild winter,”  ... check stations reporting above-average hunter success in the Bitterroot and Upper Clark Fork, and lower success in the Blackfoot...

CWD confirmed in Flathead County game farm November 20, 2020 Montana, Sidney Herald Leader

... the Montana Department of Livestock received notification that a single game farm animal in Flathead County was confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This is the second detection of CWD in domestic cervids in Montana this year...

Explaining magnetic alignment November 18, 2020 Montana, KPAX-TV

... these animals have a sort of compass in their brain. The behavior is called magnetic alignment. Research published in the National Academy of Sciences showed that factors like wind and the angle of the sun had little significance on how the animals stood. Like the needle of a compass, their heads rotated to the north...

Montana hunters association chips in $1000 to reward for moose poaching investigation November 18, 2020 Great Falls Tribune

... adding an additional $1,000 to an existing reward offered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for information leading to a conviction of whoever shot the moose, whose body was found a short distance off Sure Enough Road in hunting district 496. .. killed either on Oct. 31 or Nov. 1...

Elk management plan meetings scheduled November 11, 2020 Montana, Helena Independent Record

... The Elk Management Plan Initial Guidance Citizens Group will meet via Zoom on Nov. 19, Dec. 2–3, and Dec. 16–17... meetings are open to the public ... Information here ...

Growing number of Montana deer test positive for CWD October 22, 2020 Montana, Great Falls Tribune

... The symptoms of the disease include subtle behavioral changes such as lethargy and the loss of a fear of humans... animals lose weight and became emaciated... It is believed that the most common vector for the spread of CWD is animal to animal contact; nose-to-nose touching, males fighting during the rut, transmission during breeding, and animal contact with infected blood, feces and urine...

Deer, elk gun opener is finally here! October 21, 2020 Montana, Mineral Independent

... The most severe winter in recent history was in 1996-97. Our deer and elk herds took a big hit that winter. White-tailed deer and elk recovered but in many places in western Montana, mule deer still haven’t bounced back to the same population levels they were at before then..,

Montana data:  Deer populations were down following the severe winter of 2022-23 and in 2022 as a result of drought and disease.  The state estimated a 2022 population of 456,111 deer with 206,653 whitetails and 249,758 mule deer.  The population has been on a declne since 2017 when there was an estimated 621,301 deer.  Mule deer account for almost all of the decline - see graph below (data for the graph).   The 2022 Montana Big Game Forecast 

The 2021 estimate was 506,764 deer with 212,814 whitetails and 293,950 mule deer.  A 2020 deer population of 524,467 based on a state estimate of 328,313 mule deer and 196,154 white-tail deer. 

In 2020 a stable to modestly increasing population as a result of the mild 2019-20 winter.  Another mild winter in 2020-21 resulted numbers above long term average, but drought and wildfire in 2021.  Hunter numbers were up significantly in 2020 and 2021. The 2021 Big Game Forecast. The 2020 forecast.  

A population of  513,942 in 2019 with 321,638 mule deer and 192,303 white-tails Good rainfall in spring and summer of 2018 and 2019 supported deer populations, but harsh winters in 2017-18 and in 2018-19 reduced populations. 2019 surveys.  A population of 567,194 in 2018, up from 623,295 in 2017 when populations trended higher despite a harsh winter, except in the northwest where deer faced the most severe weather.  

The harsh 2016-17 winter was offset by good previous summer and fall providing ample forage for deer going into winter so deer populations were nearly stable in the northwest.  In 2016 white-tailed deer were generally increasing from a low in 2010 while mule deer numbers remained low with some recovery in the east.  See the 2016 big game outlook for a detailed summary of 2016 conditions. Heavy snow in 2016 resulted in fawn mortality, but white-tail populations remained stable. 

In 2015 an estimated 297,288 mule deer and about 210,665 whitetails for a total of 507,953. Favorable weather in 2014-15 led to a fair improvement in deer populations, stable in some areas. The 2015 spring survey showed white-tailed numbers about unchanged with mule deer numbers at or above averages from Glosgow and east but at or lower in the west, the Malta and Havre area.  Mule deer populations were up about 20 percent, fawn recruitment at 60 per 100 does was excellent, buck to doe ratio at 37 to 100 in 2015.  About 100,000 hunters in 2015.  65 percent of the state’s the deer and 40 percent of the elk are on private property.  Deer and elk populations were doing better on private land than on public land where they are over hunted.

In 2014 an estimated population of 447,295 with 263,569 mule deer and 183,729 white-tails.   For 2014 the mule deer harvest was 42 percent below the 10-year average, 7 percent below for white-tails, and 12 percent above for elk.  In the southeast there was above-average precipitation in 2014, mule deer herds recovered somewhat to about 8 percent below the trend compared to 57 percent below the trend after the severe winters of 2009-10 and 2010-11.  The 2011 and 2012 EHD outbreaks reduced white-tail populations but they are recovering with an average of 61 yearlings per 100 adults in 2014 based on good forage and precipitation. 

In 2013 an estimated 427,242 deer.  In the northwest white-tailed deer were still recovering from the population low of 2009 and mule deer numbers still low.  In the west white-tails are stable to increasing while mule deer are below average.  In the southwest white-tails were stable and mule deer are increasing somewhat from the lows of 2010-11.     A significant decline in the 2013 deer hunt, FWP implemented restrictions to restore the herd including reduced hunting pressure, hunting of only mature male mule deer and only white-tailed bucks in three eastern regions.  Mule deer populations fell by about 55% from the 2006-2008 recent peak to 2012 as a result of severe winters from 2009 to 2011.

A total of 281,000 mule deer estimated [PDF] for 2010, updated recently to 247,225 as reported in the table.  Deer in the northeast, Region 6, took a serious hit in the severe winter of 2010-11 with EHD further reducing whitetail populations. EHD is new to Montana and primarily affects whitetails. 

A population estimate of 249,000 whitetails in 2009.  A 1990 population estimate of 400,000.

Mule deer populations have been in a long decline, since the 1970's.  The winter of 1996-97 took a heavy toll, the most severe recent winter.  Doe licenses were substantially reduced in an effort to boost the population.  The mule deer population had not recovered by 2020.  Revenues fell, tags were increased again, but when the population fell again, tags were cut.  One issue has been suppression of fire beginning in the 70's that had improved deer habitat, but reasons for the decline are not well understood and under study.   Antelope populations have followed a similar pattern. The Effects of Special Mule Deer Buck Regulations on Mule Deer Populations and Harvest [PDF, 2011]

Source of Graph Below:  Montana FWP

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was detected in Montana's wild deer for the first time in 2017,  detected in captive elk at a game farm near Philipsburg in 1999.   In 2018, 26 positives in wild deer from 1,922 tested.  During the 2019 hunting season, there were 142 animals testing positive out of about 6,977 tested, including the first positives in moose and wild elk.  In early 2020, CWD was detected in an elk farm, the first reported among domestic cervids since 1999.  Montana voted to ban game farms in 2000.  A total of 316 cases by December, 2020 with 271 animals testing positive in 2020 [full report].  For the town of Libby in 2020, an estimated 13% of the deer are infected.  Residents reported a sickly doe in 2017, the first to test positive in the town.  By 2021, there were 456 positive cases of CWD.  More in 2022 with 45% of hunted deer infected in the lower Ruby River Valley.

History  The Lewis and Clark expedition reported large numbers of deer and elk while passing through eastern Montana.  

The chart below shows the number of deer taken in the hunt from 1945 to 2021.  Data is from the Montana Department of Fish and Wildlife.  WT are white-tailed deer.  MD are Mule Deer.

White-tailed deer are native to much of the

state, but disappeared as a result of overhunting for home or market consumption and as people cleared and settled the land.   Source Montana FWP