In anticipation of the upcoming antlerless elk shoulder seasons in five Central Montana hunting districts, state wildlife officials are contacting landowners and working out details for hunters interested in participating in the post-season hunts.

The shoulder-season hunts are pilot projects approved earlier this month by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission aimed at reducing elk populations in some areas.

The special hunts were approved for hunting districts on the north and east sides of the Big Belts, the Castle Mountains and in the Missouri River Breaks.

The elk shoulder seasons in Hunting Districts 445, 446, 449 and 452 will begin Nov. 30 and end Feb. 15. The shoulder season in Hunting District 410 will begin Jan. 1 and end Feb. 15. All hunts are for antlerless elk only.

In all, 80 of Montana’s 138 elk management units are over objective to some degree. Shoulder seasons can occur before and after the general archery and rifle seasons.

Hunters must obtain permission to hunt on private lands and will not need to register or be selected from any roster.

In Hunting Districts 445, 446, 449, and 452, hunters only need a valid 2015 general elk license or a Region 4 004-00 “B” license to participate. Hunters with valid either-sex elk permits for Hunting District 445 and a valid 2015 general elk license can also participate, but can only harvest antlerless elk.

In Hunting District 410, hunters must possess a valid 2015 410-20 either-sex permit or 410-00 “B” license to participate. Hunters can only harvest antlerless elk.

These shoulder season opportunities are available on private, Bureau of Land Management and state school trust lands only.

No elk shoulder seasons will occur on national forest lands, the Charles M. Russell Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge or on any Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife management areas.

For information, visit fwp.mt.gov and click “Elk Shoulder Seasons.”