Winter weather impacts hunter numbers at antelope opener

Sunday brought cold temperatures to the area, especially in the region’s northern and eastern hunting districts. Snow depths reached 12 inches in HDs 516 and 546 by Sunday afternoon. Many hunters returned from the field Saturday or early Sunday to avoid the winter storm.

The Broadview check station, typically the busiest in the region, saw the fewest number of hunters and harvested antelope, while the Big Timber check station was the busiest. Hunter numbers were consistent with last year at the Billings check station.

The general antelope season is open until Nov. 8.

Big Timber check station

Over the weekend, 213 hunters visited the Big Timber check station with 120 harvested antelope, an increase for both compared to opening weekend in 2025. Of the harvested antelope, 100 were bucks and 20 were does. Hunter success was highest in the region at the Big Timber check station at 57%, which was identical to the success rate recorded last year.

Thirty-one bird hunters also visited this check station over the weekend, a decrease from last year’s 50 bird hunters.

Broadview check station

Hunter numbers were the lowest on record (since 2010) at the Broadview check station. Only 126 hunters visited the check station over the weekend, compared to last year’s 237. Hunter success was 37%, an increase from last year’s 27%. Thirty-nine bucks and seven does and fawns were checked.

FWP staff also checked 23 bird hunters, down from the 32 that visited the check station last year.

Billings check station

Hunter and harvested antelope numbers at the Billings check station were consistent with numbers recorded last year. Over the weekend, 165 hunters visited with 67 harvested antelope. Of these, 41 were bucks and 26 were does. Hunter success was the same as last year at 41%.

In addition to antelope hunters, FWP staff checked 25 upland bird hunters, an increase from last year’s 19. Bird hunters reported mixed success.