Antlerless elk hunting in Bitterroot Hunting Districts (HDs) 204, 261 & the portion of 270 north of Rye Creek will close for most hunters with a general elk license at one half-hour after sunset on Wednesday, November 11th. These districts opened to antler less harvest with a general elk license on November 9th and were set to close when a harvest quota of 25 cow elk were tallied at the Darby hunter check station.
As of 3:00 p.m. on November 10th, 20 elk have been checked through the station, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) anticipates reaching the quota by the time the closure takes effect. The areas affected by the closure remain open to antler less elk harvest for general license holders that are 12-15 years old, disabled hunters with a Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle (PTHV) and to hunters holding an antler less elk permit (awarded through a special drawing) through the end of general rifle season on November 29th.
Antler less elk harvest remains open to general license holders in HD 270 south of Rye Creek until a quota of 25 more cow elk harvested from HD 270 is reached.
Hunters should check the FWP Region 2 Web page: www.fwp.mt.gov/r2 for the latest Bitterroot Cow Elk Quota before pursuing antler less elk in HD 270 south of Rye Creek, or call the FWP office during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm) at 406-542-5500.
Harvest totals will also be posted at the Darby check station. These quotas are not reflected in the hunting regulations because they were printed before the changes in quotas were made.
