Elk Management Season Opens in Hunting District 680 and 690

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has authorized a management season hunt for antlerless elk in portions of Hunting District 680 and 690, starting Saturday, Jan. 14 through Wednesday, Feb. 15. Hunters signed up for the Hunt Roster in those hunting districts may be selected for this opportunity.

A management season hunt is a proactive measure to prevent or reduce potential damage caused by large concentrations of game animals, resulting from seasonal migrations, extreme weather conditions, restrictive public hunting access on adjacent or nearby properties, or other factors.

“Basically, the main intent of the management season hunt in 680 and 690 is to help bring elk populations in the area closer to population objectives,” said Scott Hemmer, Havre-area biologist.

“Landowners may become eligible for these types of hunts if they allow public hunting during general hunting seasons,” said Hemmer.

Management season hunters are selected from the Hunt Roster, which is traditionally used by FWP regional offices to respond to these hunts with a ready-to-go list. Depending upon their randomized order on the list, hunters registered on the Hunt Roster were contacted by FWP via email or letter. Hunters need to have signed up to be on the Hunt Roster between June 15 and July 15 of each year.

Those selected hunters may harvest up to two antlerless elk if they possess both an unused general elk license and an unused elk B license. Hunters may purchase a special management hunt B license at any license provider if they have not previously purchased a general elk license and an antlerless elk B license for the 2016 hunting season.

FWP would like to remind hunters that this is not a “damage hunt,” with elk stacked up in concentrated areas.

“Hunters should prepare to hunt hard for elk, no different than any other hunting season,” said Hemmer. “Expect variable weather conditions to possibly include deep snow and cold.”

Hunters should have means to retrieve elk over potentially long distances. If successful, hunters must report their harvest to Hemmer.

Hunting will be conducted in accordance with the 2016 Montana Elk Hunting Regulations, and will be allowed only during times and in locations as directed by the landowner or FWP staff.

If there are any questions, please contact Hemmer at 406-265-6177, or email shemmer@mt.gov.