Despite the increasing popularity of hunting antlers opening day on the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, this hunter was still very successful.
SEELEY LAKE – The annual antler hunt on the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area, known locally as the Game Range, opened May 15 and has become increasingly popular. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Biologist Scott Eggeman said there were no incidents this year, however, he has heard concerns about the congestion and safety along Highway 83.
Eggeman said they estimated more than 500 people and more than 200 vehicles came out for the opening day on the Game Range. There were more than 100 vehicles parked along Highway 83 prior to the opening at 12 p.m. starting around Mile Marker one all the way north to the sharp corner that drops into Salmon Lake. There were horses tied to trailers, people walking back and forth across the highway and vehicles parked in the ditch along the highway.
Eggeman said he has received several comments on how crowded it is getting and how congested the highway is on opening day.
"The way that this will end is if someone gets hurt," said Eggeman. "I don't want to see that happen so we are trying to get out ahead of it a little more to figure out ideas. We don't have anything in mind but we are certainly starting to think about what we should do about this safety issue."
Eggeman stressed that for him it is a concern, not something that requires immediate action. If action were to be taken in the future, it would be through a public process that allows engagement by the community and recreationists.
"It is a great tradition and it is good to see people get out there," said Eggeman. "People continue to love it and we certainly don't want to take that away."
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