With temperatures reaching the mid-sixties in parts of the region over the weekend, staff at game check stations reported a decline in hunter participation.

This was the third weekend of the general deer and elk season.
 
The Cameron check station in the Madison saw the most hunters, but Area Biologist Julie Cunningham said it certainly felt slower compared to 2015’s record setting harvest. Hunters checked 13 elk through the Cameron station. The same number of elk was met by the staff at the Alder station which saw the highest overall success rate at 20-percent.

Here’s a look at the data from the weekend’s operating check stations:
 
2016 R3 Check Station Summary - Weekend 3, Nov. 5 & 6

*Opened Saturday only.
 
Hunters are reminded that they must stop at all check stations that they pass on their way to or from hunting—even if they have not harvested any animals.  The general rifle season for deer and elk runs through Sunday, Nov. 27.