An exploding population of white-tailed deer in northeastern Montana has prompted state officials to cut the cost of some non-resident licenses and work with a private program to distribute harvested animals to the hungry.
“Over the past 10 years, white-tailed deer populations in our area have grown significantly beyond long-term averages,” said Pat Gunderson, the Glasgow-based Region 6 supervisor for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). “Now these deer are damaging more crops, and they’re getting hit by more motorists. It’s time to take additional steps to reduce these deer numbers, and we’re asking hunters to help.”
Under the state’s program, non-resident hunters will still pay $75 for their first 699-00 antlerless white-tailed deer “B” license. But if non-residents purchase additional 699-01 antlerless white-tailed deer “B” licenses, they’ll only cost $20 apiece. Each legal hunter, whether they reside in Montana or not, may possess up to seven antlerless deer “B” tags this season. There will be no price reduction for Montana residents, who can already buy additional 699-00 licenses for $10 each.
Gunderson said 2,000 of the discounted 699-01 antlerless white-tailed deer “B” licenses will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Other types of licenses for antlerless white-tailed and mule deer are available, as well, but their prices have not been reduced.
The discounted tags are only valid in FWP’s Region 6, which covers northeastern Montana roughly from the North Dakota and U.S. and Canadian borders to the center of the state. Areas hardest hit by burgeoning white-tailed deer populations are along the Milk and Missouri River corridors in the eastern half of this administrative region.
“While some people are reluctant to harvest does, controlling their population is absolutely essential to successfully managing deer populations,” said FWP Wildlife Biologist Kelvin Johnson, who explained that taking even one doe removes that animal, as well as the one or two fawns the doe would likely produce each year.
“This is about being true stewards and conservationists,” Johnson said. “If we can get more hunters to come in and harvest some of these deer, everyone will be better off.”
Montana’s archery deer season is already underway, and the state’s deer rifle season begins Oct. 26 and runs through Nov. 30 in most areas. The area covered by the discounted licenses includes a mix of public and privately owned land, as well as thousands of acres of private property enrolled in FWP’s cooperative Block Management program and in state conservation easements. Access is readily available on these lands, and the access is free.
One cooperator is rancher Matt Page of the Page Whitham Land & Cattle Co. His family’s property along the Milk River west of Glasgow has been especially hard-hit by deer depredation. He estimates his operation is losing about $50,000 a year from deer-caused damage to corn and alfalfa crops. Many of his neighbors are suffering, as well.
“These deer have become a bigger pest than weeds or worms, and we need to get their numbers under control,” Page said. “There’s a whole bunch of them, and they’re very healthy. They need to be harvested.”
Page said inviting hunters onto his property plays a part in helping FWP reach its wildlife management goals. Region 6 deer numbers are high primarily because of a long series of mild winters, an abundance of feed, and a lack of herd-culling diseases.
“Providing more hunting opportunities for the public is good for the hunters, whether they are from Montana or from out-of-state,” Page said. “It’s also good for the ranchers and the communities in the area.”
Page noted that deer meat, also known as venison, is typically tender, lean and tasty. Under the state’s management program, it’s now cheaper for hunters to harvest more of the plentiful whitetails, fill up their freezers, and then donate extra meat to folks who need a helping hand.
This year, hunters who already have enough meat for themselves can turn over harvested deer to a new nonprofit program called “Hunt for Humanity.” The program, organized by Glasgow’s First Lutheran Church, pays the majority of costs associated with commercially processing the meat through cash donations gathered from local banks, other businesses, and area landowners experiencing damages from deer.
Each hunter will be expected to pay a tax-deductible, $40 fee for does and a $30 fee for fawns when they drop the deer off at one of these Glasgow businesses – Treasure Trail Meat Processing, 1064 U.S. Highway 2 West; phone: (406) 228-9011, or Hi Line Meats, located behind the Grain Growers outlet off U.S. Highway 2; phone: (406) 263-2879.
Church members will then ensure that the frozen, cut-and-wrapped meat is distributed to needy individuals and families in the Glasgow area and on the nearby Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
Gunderson said that along with being able to stockpile meat and help others, the discounted deer license program gives young hunters and their families additional opportunities to successfully stalk and harvest game.
The discounted deer licenses will go on sale Oct. 14 and can be purchased online at the department’s website (fwp.mt.gov) or through any license provider in Montana. Inquiries about areas to hunt, maps, and landowner contact information can be directed to (406) 228-3700 during normal business hours.
Recent News
