FWP says Hunting Seasons are Right around the Corner

As summer wanes and fall approaches, hunters are preparing for the various upcoming seasons.

Information and Program manager Vivaca Crowser provides some details about the seasons immediately ahead.

There are many, many stories of people who are expecting a day trip and end up having to spend the night, so you want to make sure you're prepared for that in terms of something to keep you warm, something to keep you fed and something that can provide some shelter in that scenario.

“Believe it or not hunting seasons are right around the corner,” said Crowser. “The first is early antelope season and then bird seasons on the first of September, followed by archery season on the fifth of September, and then some high country rifle seasons in the middle of September. A little further out for general rifle season at the end of October, but right now is the time where everybody's planning and getting ready for that.”

Crowser said COVID 19 doesn’t affect hunting seasons as much as activities that bring people closer together.

“Getting out there, by yourself or with a friend, you know, it's still kind of a normal part of the season,” she said. “Some things to consider might be how many people you’ll be traveling with this year, or typically going to bigger hunting camps. That may be something unless it's with your family that you might want to reconsider this year. And those carpools, you know, and in vehicles wearing a mask or just meeting up with folks out in the field. So there might be some adjustments like that, but all in all, hunting is an outdoor activity that is pretty solitary and is one of the better things we could be doing right now.”

Crowser said preparation is the key to any safe and successful hunting trip.

“You have your hunting pack, you've looked through it, make sure it has all the things in it that you need,” she said. “You know, sometimes it sits there for half of the year and then you want to look through it and make sure you've got your first aid items, and that you've got something to eat or in case you get stuck out there longer than you're expecting. There are many, many stories of people who are expecting a day trip and end up having to spend the night, so you want to make sure you're prepared for that in terms of something to keep you warm, something to keep you fed and something that can provide some shelter in that scenario.”

Get more information by visiting the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website.