A Montana Antler Hunting Need-to-Know and More Poaching Updates

Here's another example of a Montana outdoor recreation activity you never used to have to plan well in advance for.

But...now you do. In a continued effort to improve safety on opening day at Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA), antler hunters wanting to enter by vehicle at noon on opening day May 15 should register and use the east entrance.

The Wildlife Management Area, located southeast of the town of Seeley Lake, is a popular destination that draws hundreds of antler hunters annually on opening day. Instead of staging vehicles along U.S. Highway 83, which has created more congestion and safety concerns over the years along the busy highway, those planning to access the WMA by vehicle should register online beginning April 1 at noon through April 19 at midnight.  Entry is not limited and the registration list will be randomized to assign numbers, so there is not a rush to register during this time frame. Entry order will be emailed to registrants the week of April 28.

SQUATTERS NO LONGER ALLOWED

Prior to 2024, several hundred vehicles, as well as some campers and horse trailers, staged along Hwy 83, some for several weeks in advance, to access the WMA on opening day. This was a human safety issue for those parked along the highway and for adjacent traffic, and one that FWP, the Montana Highway Patrol, and Montana Department of Transportation sought to address with this new approach.

More and how to register can be found on this page of the Montana FWP website.

POACHING INVESTIGATIONS NEAR MONTANA/IDAHO BORDER

The Idaho Fish and Game tells us about two recent incidents of the illegal killing of a white-tailed deer and a bull elk near Wallace. Fish and Game is requesting the public to report any information about either incident.

A bull elk was illegally taken recently during the closed season near the bottom of Moon Pass Road at Placer Creek near Wallace. The head was taken, and it appeared attempts were made to hide the carcass.

The second incident occurred off Government Gulch Road near Kellogg. A deer was illegally taken during the closed season on a private landowner’s driveway.

Anyone who might have seen or heard something related to these incident is encouraged to contact the Idaho Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-(800) 632-5999. A Citizens Against Poaching monetary reward will be requested for individuals who provide credible, detailed information which significantly helps to identify the person(s) involved and which leads to any relevant charges.