Last week, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission extended the whitetail deer hunting season. They extended the hunts to combat chronic wasting disease. Several hunting units in and around the Ruby Valley were approved for this extension. From Dec. 15th to Feb. 15th unsuccessful whitetail deer hunters can use their permits for either-sex whitetail harvests as a part of the extension. Likewise, unused 2020 003-00, 331-00 and 399-00 deer B licenses will remain valid for antlerless whitetail. No additional permits will be on sale except for 003-00 deer B license, which will be sold until Jan. 15, 2021.
The primary goal of extending this hunt is to slow the spread of CWD. The Commission also hopes to use the hunt to better understand CWD. Chronic Wasting Disease has been increasingly tested for in elk and mule deer. This hunt will allow for more testing in the whitetail deer population.
CWD Management Hunt Information
Morgan Jacobsen from MFWP stated that the CWD management hunts will take place in the following Units.
- HD320: Those portions within the Jefferson River watershed. Those portions within the Madison River watershed are excluded.
- HD322: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
- HD324: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
- HD325: Those portions within the Blacktail Deer Creek watershed and north of Clark Canyon Creek. Those portions within the Beaverhead River watershed south of Clark Canyon Creek are excluded.
- HD326: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
- HD329: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
- HD330: Those portions within the Ruby River watershed. Those portions within the Madison River watershed are excluded.
- HD331: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
- HD340: All of the land within the Unit is valid for the management hunt.
MFWP would also like to remind hunters that you must gain permission before hunting on private lands. Likewise, hunters should contact MFWP if they have any questions regarding the CWD management hunt. Hunters who take part in the CWD management are strongly encouraged to submit samples from their deer to be tested.
Lastly, CWD is not known to infect humans. However, it is recommended that hunters do not eat any animal that has tested positive for CWD.
So, what are your thoughts on the Montana deer hunt being extended? Do you think this is a sound strategy to combat CWD? Let us know in the comments!
