2024 Hunting Forecasts
Author: Fish, Wildlife and Parks
2024 Hunting Forecasts
Fish, Wildlife and Parks
It's fall and hunting season is upon us. Soon the mornings will be crisp and cold and the leaves will be turning. Under the Big Sky, this is the season many of us spend the whole year looking forward to. In the following forecasts, FWP outlines what hunters can expect for deer, elk and pronghorn seasons around the state. We also have a fairly in-depth upland game bird forecast. Along with this great information, we have some tips on being safe in bear country and the importance of being good stewards when hunting on private lands.
Hunting Forecasts for Southwest Montana:
As in other areas of the state, big game herds in this region are still rebounding from the tough winter of 2022-2023.
Elk
Elk numbers are strong in the Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Helena, Sheridan and Livingston areas. A mild winter last year helped with recruitment.
In the Townsend area, elk numbers vary, with what appear to be still-high numbers on private lands, but not on public.
Like always, make sure to be familiar with the regulations as you plan your hunt.
Mule deer
Mule deer numbers are a mixed bag in this region. In some areas, like around Bozeman, Sheridan and Helena, numbers are looking better. However, around Butte, Dillon, Livingston and the public lands near Townsend, numbers are down. The mild winter last year appears to have had a broad positive impact on mule deer numbers, which is good.
Within this region, there have been several regulation changes hunters should be familiar with. Before you go out, please make sure and look through the hunting regulations for the hunting district you plan to hunt and note any potential changes.
White-tailed deer
White-tailed deer in southwest Montana are generally still down in numbers following the winter of 2022-2023. But biologists are seeing improvement in many areas.
Of particular note is the Ruby Valley, where populations have been reduced in response to high prevalence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). Outside of the Ruby Valley, whitetail populations throughout southwest Montana remain stable or increasing. CWD continues to spread among white-tailed deer throughout the Ruby River watershed. Outside of the lower portion of the Ruby Valley, prevalence remains relatively low but is increasing. Hunters concerned about consuming deer with chronic wasting disease should have white-tailed deer from anywhere in southwestern Montana tested prior to consuming.
Also, some of the best white-tailed concentrations in this region are on private lands. Hunter success can often depend on getting access to these lands.
Pronghorn (Antelope)
The winter of 2022-2023 was hard on pronghorn across the region. Numbers continue to remain down in most hunting districts but are showing some improvement. In the Butte area, some hunting districts are showing some robust counts, but with the majority of animals on private lands. This is a theme for the entire region—getting access to private land is critical for pronghorn success.
Note on CWD
Biologists in southwestern Montana are interested in data from hunter-submitted samples for CWD testing. These sampling efforts help FWP understand the prevalence and distribution of the disease through time, which informs wildlife management for healthy herds. If you harvest a deer, elk or moose, please consider submitting samples for CWD testing. Learn more at fwp.mt.gov/cwd.
Hunters should also remember to check the regulations before heading afield for potential changes to what and where they’re used to hunting.
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