Elk hunting numbers low

At their December meeting, members of the Community Transition Advisory Committee received an update about the recent general deer and elk hunting season in Southwest Montana.

Vanna Boccadori a wildlife biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, told members that elk hunting during the season was very slow.

Boccadori said it just goes to show what a difference the weather can make with a successful season. She said they did not have the colder weather to push the elk down, but the recent drop in temperatures should get them moving.

She added some people instead switched to deer for a harvest.

According to a release from FWP, the highest success rate in Region 3 occurred in the Alder area where biologist Dean Waltee checked a high number of mule and white-tailed deer. The release stated the Cameron check station in the Madison Valley saw the most hunters stop by. The numbers at the station were 43 elk, three white-tailed deer, and 11 mule deer.

Boccadori also stated the trapping season opened November 1 and will run until April 15. She said residents could see beaver and muskrat traps near rivers.