Opening weekend: Deer harvest up, elk steady on Rocky Mountain Front

From FWP

Hunters hit the Rocky Mountain Front for opening weekend of Montana’s general big game season, taking home more mule deer and white-tailed deer compared to the past six years.

The elk harvest was about the same for the six-year average.

The numbers were collected at Fish, Wildlife and Parks check station in Augusta, which has been in operation for decades; however, starting in 2010 the opener for the general deer and elk season was moved from Sunday to Saturday.

“White-tail numbers in the Augusta area are strong,” said Brent Lonner, FWP wildlife biologist. “Mule deer nu...