MILES CITY – The opening weekend of deer and elk season in southeast Montana brought mild weather, slightly lower traffic at check stations and hunters who saw game but were willing to wait to punch their tags.

Hysham check station

The Hysham check station saw 56 parties and 99 hunters come through on Sunday, a bit down from average traffic of 69 and 136, respectively. FWP gathered harvest information on 15 antelope (nine bucks and six does), seven mule deer (six bucks and one doe), 13 white-tailed deer (five bucks and eight does) and six elk (five bulls and one cow).

The harvest success rate was 37 percent, typical for the opening weekend of rifle season. Many hunters reported having an opportunity but were willing to wait for a chance at a larger buck.

Ashland check station

The Ashland check station saw temperatures in the 70s. Crews saw fewer hunters than on average, and harvest rates were down a bit. Biologists talked with 64 hunting parties, and a total of 118 hunters. Thirty-five hunters reported success for a 30 percent harvest rate. Crews checked 15 elk (six bulls and nine cows), six mule deer bucks, one white-tail doe, and 12 antelope (nine bucks and three does).

Hunters reported being happy with their weekend hunt but were looking forward to cooler temperatures that cause big game animals to move around more.

There were quite a few questions about mule deer doe harvest. In a new regulation this year in Regions 6 and 7, mule deer does can only be harvested on private lands.

Hunters coming through the Ashland check station in coming weekends are reminded that they can have samples collected from their deer and elk for CWD testing in Ashland on Saturday and Sunday, from about 10 a.m. to sunset.

Glendive check station

The Glendive check station recorded temperatures around 60 degrees on Sunday. A total of 18 parties and 34 hunters came through the station. Of the hunters checked, 13 were successful with a harvest success rate of 38 percent, 3 percent below average for opening weekends.

Three white-tailed deer (one buck and two does) and four mule deer were harvested (three bucks and one doe). Hunters reported seeing high upland game bird numbers, and 32 pheasants, seven sharp-tailed grouse and 21 Hungarian partridges were checked. Of the hunters who came through, most reported being satisfied with their hunts.