The Montana general rifle hunting season officially ended on Sunday, but there are more opportunities for hunters through the winter.

Education Coordinator for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Vivaca Crowser, said the season just past was more successful than the last two years.

"We did pretty good, as the season totals are higher than they were in 2014," Crowser said. "Whitetail harvests started strong, but they tapered off as the cold weather kept hunters away this past weekend. The elk numbers totaled 354 compared with 253 last season at our west central Montana check stations."

Crowser said a newly established season will be getting underway soon for elk hunters in central Montana.

"We're trying a pilot project and it's being referred to as 'elk shoulder season'," she said. "We're trying to connect hunters with an opportunity to bump the elk population in some of those areas where elk numbers are too high. The Great Falls FWP office has more details on that special hunt."

Crowser said there are still other opportunities for hunters throughout the state.

"We've got upland bird seasons going for awhile, and wolf season begins on December 15th and continues through the middle of March, and before we know it the deadlines for applying for special licenses and permits. and the first of those is March 15th. So, if you're not out there hunting now, you'll soon be applying for permits for the next seasons."

Crowser said all the information necessary is available on the FWP website.

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