Southeastern Montana pronghorn harvest strong for opening weekend

By Fish, Wildlife & Parks

MILES CITY – Harvest rates were close to average for the opening weekend of antelope season in southeastern Montana, with fair number of mature animals tagged by hunters, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Here's a breakdown from biological data collected at three check stations.

Broadus

A total of 179 hunters (in 94 parties) came through, with an overall harvest success rate of 63%.

The majority of hunters were pursuing pronghorn, but one sharp-tailed grouse, two Hungarian partridge and three turkeys were also taken. The pronghorn harvest consisted of 126 total, with 91 bucks and 35 does.

Hysham

The crew checked 131 parties and 215 hunters. Harvest rates included 114 antelope (96 bucks and 18 does), which is at the 10-year average of 115.

Seventy percent of the bucks harvested at the Hysham check station were aged by FWP staff to be older than 3 years, indicating that hunters were able to select older age class antelope bucks.

Sixty-eight percent of hunters reported a harvest, which is about 8% below average for opening weekend.

Other game animals checked included one mule deer buck, 155 pheasants, 44 sharp-tailed grouse, three Hungarian partridge and eight ducks of various species.

Mosby

Biologists visited with 111 hunters who saw a high harvest success rate of 69%. This is similar to previous years.

Of the antelope biologists checked, 62 were male and seven were female. More than half of the bucks harvested were 4.5 years or older.

Many hunters reported seeing lots of game birds while afield. Biologists checked turkeys, pheasants, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridges.

FWP recommends that you double-check your antelope license before heading to the field. The antelope licenses have changed this year in Region 7. Either-sex license number 007-21 and antlerless license number 007-31 are only valid north of the Yellowstone River, while either-sex license number 007-20 and antlerless license number 007-30 are only valid south of the Yellowstone River.

Also, remember that the 705-30 antlerless license is only valid in deer/elk hunting district 705.