Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hosting four upcoming public meetings to discuss deer populations and potential future management strategies for hunting seasons in northwest Montana.

FWP Region 1 staff are hoping to engage the public in an open discussion about the future direction for deer hunting after back-to-back harsh winters impacted fawn recruitment and a low hunter harvest this fall.

The meetings are not formal public hearings and will feature informational presentations on historical and current white-tailed and mule deer populations followed by discussion.

“We are hoping to engage the public and talk about the current state of deer herds across northwest Montana,” said Neil Anderson, FWP Region 1 wildlife manager. “We have heard some concerns from sportsmen about deer populations. These meetings will help FWP collaborate with the public and better understand their needs and expectations.”

The local meeting will be held Jan. 9, 2018 at the FWP Region 1 headquarters in Kalispell, 490 N. Meridian. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and will be in conjunction with a regular meeting of Flathead Wildlife, Inc., a local sportsmen’s group.

Additional meetings will be held in Trout Creek, Libby and Eureka.

Deer populations have historically followed up and down cycles depending on several factors, including the severity of winter. Management actions have traditionally attempted to respond to these cyclical changes and sportsmen’s concerns.

For more information, contact FWP Region 1 Information and Education Program Manager Dillon Tabish at (406) 751-4564.