State limits deer hunting

The Western News

A decline in the population of northwestern Montana’s white-tailed deer prompted the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission last week to limit hunting opportunities.

During last Thursday’s meeting in Helena, the commission approved a plan to reduce the availability of B tags from hundreds to 25 in most northwestern Montana hunting districts. In addition, the commission also voted to shorten by four days the general hunting season for antlerless white-tailed deer.

In recent years, hunters could harvest antlerless deer during the first week and last four days of the season. For 2009, antlerless deer hunting will not be allowed during the last four days of rifle season.

Wildlife officials said extreme winter weather and predators have lowered the deer fawn population to necessitate the changes. Heavy snowfall limited deer movement to give mountain lions and wolves a better chance to make a kill.

During a field survey last spring, officials counted 29 fawns per 100 adult deer, much lower than the usual average of 50 fawns per 100 does.

Hunters in the region did not find much success this last hunting season with difficult conditions stemming from the delayed arrival of winter weather. Check station counts and the number of whitetail bucks taken were significantly lower.