Despite some rain Saturday night in southeast Montana, hunter traffic was up at Sunday check stations during opening weekend of antelope rifle season.

Harvest success rates were close to average for antelope opener, and a good portion of the aged antelope bucks were 3 or older, meaning a lot of hunters were able to select for more mature animals.

Hysham check station

“Despite the rain that moved through the area Saturday night, which limited hunting opportunities for some on Sunday, I was pleased with the overall success,” said wildlife biologist Steve Atwood. “I was especially impressed by the number of quality bucks taken; 40 percent measured 13 inches or greater.”

FWP staff saw 151 parties and 248 hunters pass through the station, 27 percent and 18 percent above the 10-year average, respectively.

The crew checked 162 antelope (127 bucks and 35 does), which is 31 percent above the 10-year average.

Of the bucks aged, 63 percent were 3 years old or older.

Inclement weather likely affected some hunters, but 71 percent reported a harvest, about 3 percent below the 10-year average for opening weekend.

FWP didn’t see any deer or elk come through Hysham, but staff checked 54 pheasants, 15 sharp-tailed grouse, and five Hungarian partridges.

“Bird hunters faced more of a challenge,” Atwood said. “The reduced number of birds checked was anticipated, with pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge harvests each down to about a third of last year’s totals at this time. This trend is consistent with reports we’ve been hearing from hunters throughout the fall.”

Broadus check station

“Overall, hunters had good times afield,” said wildlife biologist Ryan DeVore. “More large bucks were harvested than usual, with none at least 14 inches, and four of which were 15 inches.”

According to DeVore, 74 percent of aged antelope bucks were 3 or older, so hunters had good looks at more mature animals.

There were also a lot more hunters coming through than in previous antelope openers. The station saw 112 parties and 221 hunters overall, which is 71 percent and 73 percent above the 10-year average, respectively.

FWP checked 127 antelope (85 bucks and 42 does), which is 51 percent above average.

The harvest success rate wasn’t quite as high, with 53 percent reporting a harvest, or about 12% below average for opening weekend.

The crew at Broadus also checked one antlerless mule deer and two antlerless white-tails, along with two turkeys and one sharp-tailed grouse.

Mosby check station

The weekend weather near Mosby was windy, rainy and cold, with temperatures around 40 degrees. Most hunters coming through reported harvesting an antelope on Saturday, before the rainy and windy weather on Sunday.

A total of 66 parties and 126 hunters traveled through the check station. Of the hunters checked, 84 were successful, yielding a harvest success rate of 67 percent, or 3 percent below last year.

The crew checked 86 antelope, 15 of which were does and 71 bucks. Additionally, one ring-necked pheasant and one sharp-tailed grouse were brought through the check station.

“Many hunters reported that they had a harder time finding upland game birds compared to last year,” said wildlife biologist Cory Allred-Aubrey. “Overall, of the hunters who came through the check station, most reported being satisfied with their hunts.”