Havre Check Station Results After First Two Weekends

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Havre hunter check station has been open on weekends since the beginning of antelope general and pheasant (Oct. 11-12) through the last two weekends of general deer and elk opener and will continue through the end of general deer and elk rifle season on Nov. 30.

Overall this year, hunter numbers are slightly down from last year and the longterm average with 823 hunters passing through the station so far this year. Weather this year has been windy at times, but temperatures have been warmer and roads have been mostly dry and not a major obstacle to hunter participation or access. The warmer weather and wind may have had some impact on hunter success.

The 40 mule deer checked so far is 48 percent below the 2024 season at this point, and 71 percent below the longterm average. White-tailed deer checked (nine) was well below both last year and the long-term average.

Antlerless licenses for both deer species have been greatly reduced this year, contributing to the reduced harvest.

The number of antelope checked so far in 2025 (227) is 54 percent higher than last year and right at the longterm average. With antelope populations doing quite well in most districts, and correspondingly more tags available, this is the highest recorded number at this point since 2010.

Elk harvest has also been lower this year with 11 elk checked, which is down 27 percent from last year and 37 percent below the long-term average.

Contrary to the last few years, upland bird reports this year have generally been better on the western portion of Region 6 and less favorable on the eastern portion. A total of 548 pheasants have been checked this year, which is down 9 percent from last year and 6 percent below the long-term average. A total of 97 sharp-tailed grouse have been checked, which is down 4 percent from last year but is still 1 percent above the longterm average. It has been another good year for gray (Hungarian) partridge, with 67 partridge checked which is down 11 percent from last year, but is still 36 percent above the long-term average.

Although relatively few waterfowl typically pass through the check station, numbers were below normal, and all the 23 waterfowl checked were ducks.

Hunters must stop at all game check stations Please remember that all hunters are required by law to stop as directed at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting, even if they have no game to be checked.

There is an option to have animals sampled for CWD if desired. Please follow all directions and signs from FWP staff as they work diligently to check game, answer questions, and get you on your way.

Biologists gather a lot of valuable information and biological data on game animals brought through check stations, and FWP wildlife staff appreciate all hunters’ cooperation in this effort. Note that the harvest data described above includes only animals that were brought through the Havre check station and is only a partial representation of the region-wide harvest.