Birds and the Opener

Sage grouse and blue grouse were pleniful this weekend in areas south of Dillon. I saw at least a dozen birds over the weekend. A few out of state hunters were out for the opener with dogs in tow. I didn't see any Montana residents hunting in the area for birds. Archery yes, birds no.

I did hear of reports from hunters who went for sharptails in eastern Montana that the hot weather kept dogs moving slow and birds in deeper cover. Overall it seems like the hot weather did make it difficult for bird hunters.

Elk Season off to a slow start

The archery elk season seems to be off to a slow start due to warm weather and a full moon on the opener. Hunters I talked to this weekend reported seeing and hearing a few elk but not many. A lot of people were also in the woods with the Labor Day weekend the same as the archery opener. So with the increased traffic and the warm weather elk and deer are at the top of the timber pockets in the highest basins.