Preserving the Hunt

The final numbers reported at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks check stations support a widespread perception that the big game population, specifically deer, is hurting in most areas of the state. And as a result so is the tradition of hunting.

Of the state’s seven regions, only one showed above average harvest numbers for both whitetail and mule deer — Region 3 in the southwest. Nearly everywhere else saw significant declines in both animals harvested and hunters in the field, especially in eastern Montana. In fact, all but two regions reported a below average number of hunters this season.

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