Through the second weekend of Montana’s general big game hunting season, hunter participation in northwest Montana was slightly lower than last year, but overall success rates and harvest numbers remain strong across Region 1.

So far, 3,480 hunters have passed through the four regional game check stations — about 7 percent fewer than last year — with 276 white-tailed deer, 21 mule deer, and 29 elk reported. The overall percentage of hunters with game rose slightly to 9.4 percent, up from 8.9 percent at the same point in 2024.

The Olney station reported the highest success rate at 12.3 percent, followed by Thompson Falls at 10.2 percent, where elk harvest was notably higher than last year. Highway 2 and Swan stations both saw modest white-tailed deer harvests consistent with recent years.

Check stations provide an important index of hunter effort and harvest but represent only a sample of the total harvest across the region. Hunters are reminded that they must stop at any check station they encounter, whether or not they have harvested an animal.

The 2025 general deer and elk season runs through Nov. 30, with regional check stations open on weekends from 10 a.m. to approximately 1.5 hours after sunset. Region 1 stations are located on U.S. Highway 2 west of Kalispell, Montana Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Hunters play an important role in helping Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks monitor chronic wasting disease (CWD). Testing is voluntary in most of northwest Montana, but mandatory for certain licenses near Libby, including the White-tailed Deer B License 199-20 in Hunting Districts 100, 103, and 104, and the Mule Deer Permit 103-50 in Hunting District 103.

Hunters can have animals sampled at CWD sampling stations, most FWP offices, or collect and mail samples themselves.

FWP strongly recommends obtaining a negative test result before processing or donating meat.

If the animal tests positive for CWD, FWP will advise the hunter on proper carcass and meat disposal and give instructions on how to request a replacement license.

Hunters should properly dispose of carcass waste to help prevent the spread of CWD and other diseases. Brain, spinal tissue, and other high-risk parts should be left at the kill site when possible or disposed of at a Class II landfill.

In northwest Montana, here's how you can get your animal sampled this fall:

General Deer & Elk Season

• Hunters may self-submit samples
• Visit the Libby CWD Sampling Station, located at the Montana Department of Transportation shop on US Hwy 2. It will be open Saturdays, Sundays & Mondays, 10 a.m. – dusk.
• Visit a game check station open on weekends
• Visit the Region 1 office in Kalispell (490 N. Meridian) during business hours, Monday–Friday.

Learn more about CWD at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/chronic-wasting-disease/

Northwest Montana (Region 1) Hunting Season Reminders

• Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released proposals for 2026/2027 deer, elk and black bear regulations for public comment. These proposals will ultimately go to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission for a final decision at its meeting Dec. 4. To view the proposals and comment, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/december-2025-meeting. FWP will be hosting public meetings around the state to discuss the regulation proposals and answer questions. The following meetings are scheduled for northwest Montana:
  • Nov. 3 – Kalispell FWP office, 6-8 p.m.
  • Nov. 4 – Libby, Ponderosa Room, Libby City Hall, 6-8 p.m.
  • Nov. 5 – Eureka, Lincoln County Annex Building, 6-8 p.m.
  • Nov. 6 – Thompson Falls, high school library, 6-8 p.m.
• Hunters should plan ahead and review the regulations for each hunting district they plan to hunt. When reading the regulation booklet, make sure to review the far right column titled, “Opportunity Specific Details and/or Restrictions."
• All hunters planning to access the Flathead Ridge Ranch Block Management Area off U.S. Highway 2 West between Kalispell and Libby must obtain a free permission card for the season. The permission card must be displayed from the rearview mirror of every hunter’s vehicle while on the property. Only one card per vehicle is required but each hunter’s name within the vehicle must be on the slip. Hunters can acquire these permission cards from the FWP office in Kalispell or at sign-in boxes throughout Flathead Ridge Ranch BMA. These cards serve as proof of permission to hunt on the property for the entire general season. Similar to other Block Management areas across the state, FWP will use the permission cards to track hunting pressure and gather important feedback on the hunting season.
• Many private lands that were historically owned by corporate timber companies have changed ownership, and hunters should review the Block Management Program to view available public access opportunities and restrictions on private lands. Visit https://fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/block-management
• Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses should be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware