EASTERN MONTANA HUNTING


The area around Glendive offers a variety of bird hunting, along with big game hunting for mule and whitetail deer and antelope. For the archery enthusiast hunting for elk, the hottest spot in the state is the C. M. Russell Game Preserve in the Fort Peck Lake area. There is also a special drawing for this area for gun hunters and a limited number of permits issued following the archery season.

The lucky hunter who receives an elk gun permit for the C. M. Russell Preserve is nearly assured of filling his tag. The only thing that may stop a successful hunt is wet weather. The area is famous for its gumbo soil, which is extremely difficult to negotiate when wet.

Hunting upland game birds is a favorite sport for shotgunners in eastern Montana. Mainstay birds are the sharptail grouse, sage grouse and Hungarian Partridge, all found in the hills and prairies surrounding Glendive. Hunting season for sage grouse opens Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 1. Sharptail grouse and Hungarian Partridge season opens Sept. 1 and closes Jan. 1, 2009.

Howard Burt, biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said that so far, the past mild winter has seemed to produce little winter kill in any species. Although spring population surveys had not yet begun, Burt expected that game population numbers would be at or above average for the 2008-2009 season. “Winter mortality is typically what limits a lot of these populations, and what we’re seeing now is little to no winter mortality for birds and big game,” he said.

The land along the Yellowstone River is the best bet for pheasant hunters. The colorful birds seem to thrive along the ditches, fields and brush near the river where there is ample cover. Pheasant season opens Oct. 11 and closes Jan. 1, 2009.

Merriam’s wild turkeys were introduced into the state in 1955. Through a successful trapping and transplanting program, the few turkeys have increased tremendously and now flocks are found all over eastern Montana. A special spring male turkey season has gained popularity among early hunters, and the challenge of calling the crafty old gobblers within range can be especially exciting. Spring turkey season opens April 12 and closes May 18. The fall turkey season opens Sept. 1 and closes Jan. 1, 2009.

The hunting of waterfowl is governed by federal regulations, with bag and possession limits are set each year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Drought over the past decade had created an overall declining trend in duck numbers.

Canada geese numbers have increased unbelievably, but dry years in the hatching areas in Canada have also taken a toll on geese. These magnificent birds weigh in between 10 and 18 pounds.

Burt said that it was difficult to tell early on, but waterfowl numbers may show recovery in areas with decent precipitation.

Big game hunting in eastern Montana is the highlight of the season for many hunters. Mule deer numbers dropped a few years ago, but populations have rebounded considerably with recent mild winters. Whitetail deer populations are also coming back. Hunters can choose between whitetail — found in the brushy areas along the Yellowstone River and other dry creeks in the area — or they can head for the hills to try to bag a big “mossy-horn” muley.

Archery-only season for deer and elk runs from Sept. 6 to Oct. 19 Deer and Elk general season will open soon after, and will run from Oct. 26 to Nov. 30.

Keen-eyed pronghorn antelope will test the marksmanship of any hunter, as they can reach speeds of more than 60 miles per hour. Archery season for antelope opens Sept. 6. and closes Oct. 11. Antelope general season will begin Oct. 12 and will run until Nov. 9. The statewide antelope 900 season, an archery only season, opens Aug. 15 and lasts until Nov. 9.

Whether they are gunning for birds or big game, hunters will enjoy the fast-paced hunting through the rolling plains and jagged coulees of this part of the state.

All hunters should be sure to reference the 2008 hunting regulations for possible changes in season dates. This information can be accessed at www.fwp.mt.gov.