2024 Opening Weekend Report for Augusta Check Station

GREAT FALLS – Hunters in north-central Montana opened the 2024 general big game season on Saturday morning with warm, dry, and windy weather, resulting in fewer hunters afield along with a reduction in harvest success by hunters at the FWP check station in Augusta.

A total of 194 hunters in 93 groups stopped at the Augusta check station over the weekend, a decline from the 10-year average of 215 hunters. Harvest success was also about 10% below average with 35 deer and elk checked, along with two antelope and several upland game birds.

The deer harvest of 20 animals was lower than recent years...