Hunters: Stop at all designated check stations

During the general big game season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks runs biological game check stations on weekends around the state. Please remember that all hunters are required by law to stop at all designated check stations on their way to and from hunting, even if they have no game to be checked. If you are hunting and see check station signage along the roadway, please pull in where directed. Biologists gather a lot of valuable information at these check stations, working with hunters to collect wildlife data and gauge hunter participation and harvest rates.

At these stations, you won’t be asked for your hunting license, but biologists will enter the sex and species of your animal, check the teeth for aging purposes, and measure the antlers or horns if it is a male. Some stations also offer the option to have animals sampled for CWD if desired. Hunters also will be asked for a general area of where they were hunting, what game they were after, how many were in their party, where they are from, if they were hunting on public, private or fee land, and if they were satisfied with their hunt. It’s an effective way to gauge both hunter traffic, success and experiences, while recording key population data.

Please follow all directions and signs from FWP staff as they work diligently to check game, answer questions, and get you on your way. FWP staff greatly appreciate all hunters’ cooperation in this effort.