KALISPELL — Harvest numbers at northwest Montana check stations showed some encouraging movement through the third week of the general season, with mule deer buck harvest increasing compared to last year, and elk harvest remaining relatively steady.
Through the third weekend of general season, 4,832 hunters passed through the four regional check stations. Hunters have reported 269 white-tailed deer, 48 mule deer bucks, and 32 elk. The overall percentage of hunters with game is 7.2%, compared to 8.3% in 2025. Warm weather is likely contributing to slower harvest as deer are less active, moving more at night. Harvest is expected to increase as weather cools and the rut approaches.
Check stations are open on weekends during general season from 10 a.m. to approximately 1.5 hours past sunset. The northwest Montana stations are located at U.S. Highway 2 West of Kalispell, Montana Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney.
Hunters must stop at any check station they encounter whether they harvested an animal or not. The counts at the stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.
The table below summarizes the results at northwest Montana check stations.
Northwest Montana (Region 1) Hunting Season Reminders
- Hunters should plan ahead and review the regulations for each hunting district they plan to hunt. When reading the regulation booklet, make sure to review the far right column titled, “Opportunity Specific Details and/or Restrictions.”
- In Region 1, antlerless elk B-licenses are only valid on private property for the 2026/2027 season.
- All hunters planning to access SPP lands or the Flathead Ridge Ranch Block Management Area must follow new permission requirements for the 2026/2027 season. SPP lands that were previously administered under a single access system have been divided into three separate BMAs, and each area has its own access requirements. Updated BMA maps and rules are available on the FWP Block Management Website.
- Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses should be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website.
Chronic Wasting Disease
Hunters play an important part in helping FWP learn where chronic wasting disease (CWD) is and how it spreads. When hunters have their harvested deer, elk and moose tested for CWD, they provide key insights into the effectiveness of CWD management, the disease’s prevalence and its presence.
Hunters can have their animals sampled at CWD sampling stations or most FWP offices. Hunters can also collect the samples themselves, fill out the online hunter submission form and mail the samples to the Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman. In northwest Montana, hunters can get their animals tested at the following locations:
- FWP Kalispell Office (490 North Meridian Rd), Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Libby CWD Sampling Station (MDT’s Libby Shop, 35838 US Highway 2, just south of where Big Cherry Creek crosses US Highway 2) Sat-Mon 10 a.m. to sunset
- FWP Thompson Falls Office (5427 MT-200), Mondays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For info on how to self-submit samples and a full list of CWD sampling station locations, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/
There are mandatory CWD testing requirements for tags associated with CWD management near Libby and Kalispell. These licenses are only valid in the specific CWD management zone identified in the regulations. Testing is required for all animals harvested using the White-tailed Deer B License 199-20 in HDs 100, 103 and 104, the Mule Deer Permit 103-50 in HD 103 and the White-tailed Deer B License HD170-20 in HD 170
