Montana Hunter Success Mixed as 2013 Deer Rut Begins

Hunters who stopped at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks check stations in south central Montana over the weekend reported signs that the annual deer rut is starting. The number of animals checked at Laurel, Columbus, Big Timber and Lavina generally was better than the same weekend last year. For the first two weeks of the season, the number of hunters was well above average, which drove the percentage of hunter with game to a long-term low. More hunters have stopped at the Lavina check station so far this year than any of the previous nine years. Numbers of hunters have not translated into...

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