Region 3: 60,000 Elk, One Record Bear Year
October 24, 2026 by Angela Montana
We’ve searched for a better hunt across all seven Montana hunting regions. Now we’ve reached our final stop—and we may have saved one of the most interesting for last!
This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale heads into Montana FWP Region 3, covering a huge chunk of southwest Montana, with FWP Wildlife Manager Warren Hansen and Communication and Education Program Manager Morgan Jacobsen.
And elk hunters, you might want to sit down when you watchor listento this one.
When Warren added up the minimum elk counts
When Warren added up the minimum elk counts from FWP surveys across Region 3, the number was around 60,000 elk! But before you start loading the truck, there’s an important question: How many of those elk can hunters actually get to?
Warren has some interesting thoughts about what happened to elk last year—and why it could affect where hunters find them this season.
Mule deer hunters also get some encouraging news, although there’s one area where the story is very different. Antelope numbers are showing movement in the right direction, too.
Then there are the bears.
Region 3 experienced what Warren calls an exceptionally
Region 3 experienced what Warren calls an exceptionally high bear-conflict year. Just how unusual was it? Wait until you hear the numbers—and what FWP believes may be contributing to it.
Rigger, Warren and Morgan also cover whitetails, CWD, wolves, upland birds, turkeys, Block Management, private-land access, bear safety and some hunting opportunities you may not have considered.
After seven regions and thousands of miles across Montana, The Search for a Better Hunt ends in one heck of a place.
Watch or listen to this week’s Montana Outdoor Podcast and come INSIDE REGION 3!
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Click any of the names below to send them an email!
- Downrigger Dale
- Warren Hansen
- Morgan Jacobsen
MPORTANT: Hunting regulations, quotas, access rules, closures and other information can change. Always check the current official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations and information before heading into the field.
