Resident and non-resident hunters alike have heeded the call to increase the Region 6 antlerless deer harvest this season, prompting one type of gateway license to sell out on Nov. 13.
In an effort to reduce burgeoning deer numbers, especially in the eastern half of the Region, the price nonresidents pay for one type of antlerless white-tailed “Deer B” license was reduced from $75 each to $20 apiece this year. The $10 price for each 699-00 tag, which is valid throughout Region 6, was not altered for Montana residents.
Nonresident and resident hunters in Montana may purchase up to seven “Deer B” licenses in any combination for the 2008 season. State figures show about 5,600 of the specially designated Region 6 antlerless “B” tags have been sold this year, reaching the state’s management goal. Only about 3,400 of the tags were sold in 2007.
“We’d like to thank our resident and nonresident hunters for stepping up to the plate,” said Region 6 Supervisor Pat Gunderson. “We are also continuing to encourage folks who have already bought their tags to get out and fill them. There are many landowners in the area who are opening their property to hunters. We need to continue to help them reduce deer numbers even further so additional state management measures won’t as likely be needed.”
Gunderson noted that residents and nonresidents who have purchased fewer than seven of the gateway 699-00 or 699-01 “Deer B” licenses will still be able to purchase more until the full allotment is met. In addition, there are more than 900 other antlerless “Deer B” licenses available in Region 6. Most of these tags are for mule deer in Hunting Districts 611, 630, 640 and 670.
Gunderson said there are also either-species antlerless tags remaining for use by resident and nonresident archery hunters in the Fort Peck Townsite area. On top of that, resident hunters can still purchase single-region, antlerless, white-tailed “Deer B” licenses that are valid in nearly all areas of Region 6. Montana’s general hunting season for deer and elk closes Nov. 30.
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. While many deer hunters typically spend their time seeking a big buck and will not shoot does, biologists say harvesting antlerless deer is the best way to reduce numbers. That’s because each doe is capable of producing one or more additional deer each year if left to breed freely.
Gunderson said the abundance of deer in Region 6 makes it a fine time to fill up freezers and to make sure friends and relatives have plenty of meat for the winter. Hunters can also donate their harvested antlerless deer to the nonprofit “Hunt for Humanity” program, which distributes the meat to area residents in need.
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 is asked 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 near the city center off U.S. Highway 2; phone: (406) 263-2879.
For more information about specific licenses or the continuing Region 6 antlerless deer harvest, please call (406) 228-3700 or stop by any FWP office during normal business hours.
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