Troy, MT Hunting Report: Northwest Montana & Lincoln County — Week of November 5, 2026

Two weekends into Montana’s general rifle season, hunters around Troy and the rest of Lincoln County, from the Yaak and Bull Lake down the Kootenai valley and into the Cabinet Mountains, are still looking at a slower year than 2025 in FWP’s regional numbers. The general deer and elk season opened Oct. 24 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 29 (FWP hunting seasons page, checked Nov. 5). FWP’s Region 1 release from Kalispell, dated Nov. 2, says 3,235 hunters have passed through the four northwest Montana check stations so far. That’s about 7 percent fewer than last year, and 7.1 percent of them had game, compared with 9.3 percent at the same point in 2025. None of those stations is in Lincoln County, and FWP hasn’t published Libby CWD station counts or a Lincoln County harvest figure, so we can’t tell you what’s been killed closer to home. Here’s the official regional picture, this week’s forecast, and the notices that matter.

Through the second weekend (FWP Region 1, released Nov. 2):

The four Region 1 stations have now checked 183 white-tailed deer, 24 mule deer bucks, and 23 elk in total. Last week’s opening-weekend report had 118 whitetails, 11 mule deer, and 11 elk, so the second weekend added about 65 whitetails, 13 mule deer, and 12 elk. FWP’s release this week did not include a station-by-station breakdown in text form, so we’re only reporting the regional totals. “While we’re seeing somewhat lower hunter numbers and harvest totals compared to last year, we are still seeing steady activity across the region,” regional wildlife manager Neil Anderson said. “It’s still early to draw any conclusions about how the season will shape up.” FWP also noted that the second week of the season usually brings a slower pace after opening weekend. Check stations only sample the harvest and don’t count every animal taken. The preseason outlook FWP gave in September still applies: good fawn survival after a mild winter, rising whitetail numbers, and more older bucks expected.

Check stations and CWD testing:

Region 1 check stations are open weekends through the general season from 10 a.m. to about 1.5 hours after sunset: U.S. Highway 2 west of Kalispell, Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney. You have to stop at every check station you pass, whether or not you have game. Closer to home, the Libby CWD sampling station at the MDT Libby Shop (35838 U.S. Highway 2, just south of where Big Cherry Creek crosses the highway) is open Saturday through Monday, 10 a.m. to sunset. You can also get an animal sampled at the FWP Kalispell office (490 N. Meridian Rd., weekdays 8 to 5) or the Thompson Falls office (Mondays 8 to 5), or collect the samples yourself and mail them to the Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman. Testing is mandatory for animals taken on the White-tailed Deer B License 199-20 (HDs 100, 103, and 104), the Mule Deer Permit 103-50 (HD 103), and the White-tailed Deer B License 170-20 (HD 170). We still haven’t found any published Libby station sample counts or CWD results for this season.

Region 1 rules worth repeating:

Region 1 antlerless elk B licenses are valid only on private land for 2026–27. If you hunt SPP lands or the Flathead Ridge Ranch Block Management Area, follow the new permission rules: the old SPP single-access system is now three separate BMAs, each with its own requirements. Before you hunt a district, read the far-right “Opportunity Specific Details and/or Restrictions” column in the regulations. In Region 1, mule deer hunting is for antlered bucks only, and the North Fisher area in HD 103 requires the 103-50 permit.

Baiting is illegal:

On Nov. 4, FWP game wardens in Kalispell reminded hunters that hunting game animals over bait and supplemental feeding of wildlife are both against state law. “Several stores across the state sell products that are marketed as wildlife feed, supplements, and attractants,” regional warden captain Chris Neu said. “Just because a product is available for sale, that does not mean it is legal to use while hunting.” FWP says baiting and feeding concentrate animals unnaturally and raise the risk of disease spread and conflicts. That matters here, with CWD management zones around Libby. To report a suspected violation, call 1-800-TIP-MONT or go to tipmont.mt.gov.

Around the state:

Other regions reported in on Nov. 2 too. In west-central Montana, the Anaconda, Bonner, and Darby check stations are about even with last year: 3,875 hunter stops (3,897 in 2025), 141 elk (151), 42 mule deer (51), and 149 whitetails (123). On the Rocky Mountain Front, the Augusta station is running well above average. Snow and cool weather helped there, 26 percent of hunters have had game against a 10-year average of 19 percent, and the 71 elk checked are more than 30 percent above the long-term average. On Nov. 2 FWP also closed bighorn sheep hunting in HD 502 a half hour after sunset Nov. 3, which is a reminder that quota units can close mid-season. Check FWP’s Restrictions and Closures page before you go.

Seasons open now (per FWP, checked Nov. 5):

Deer and elk general: through Nov. 29, with muzzleloader Dec. 12–20. Black bear fall season: through Nov. 29. Moose, mountain goat, and bighorn sheep general (license or permit holders): through Nov. 29. Mountain lion (without dogs): through Nov. 29, and the winter season opens Dec. 1. Wolf general: Sept. 15, 2026 – March 14, 2027, per FWP’s wolf species page (the general seasons page still lists 2026 wolf dates as “TBD”). Upland birds: through Jan. 1. Pacific Flyway ducks, coots, and geese: through Jan. 15. Antelope closes Nov. 8, but that’s east-side hunting. Shoulder seasons and permits vary by district, so check the 2026 regulations or the Hunt Planner.

Bear safety:

Bears are still out in the Cabinet-Yaak and the hills around Troy. FWP’s Nov. 2 release repeats the carcass rules: don’t hang a carcass near a house or garage, and hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Carry bear spray where you can reach it and know how to use it. Black bear season runs through Nov. 29, so be sure of your target. Color doesn’t tell you the species, so look at the shoulder hump, face profile, and ears.

Troy weather this week:

The National Weather Service in Missoula’s forecast for Troy (updated 6:57 a.m. MST Thursday, Nov. 5) calls for rain likely this morning and patchy fog into the afternoon, with a high near 49 and a low around 38 tonight. Friday turns partly sunny, high near 53. Saturday is mostly sunny and mild, high near 63, with a slight chance of rain late Saturday night. Sunday is mostly cloudy, high near 56, with a slight chance of rain. Monday through Veterans Day on Wednesday stay mild, with highs of 57 to 63, lows in the low to mid 40s, and a slight chance of rain most days. There’s no snow in the Troy forecast this week, so tracking snow will be limited to the high country, if there’s any at all. Warm afternoons also mean you should get meat cooled quickly. Forecasts change, so check again before you go.

Kootenai National Forest roads (alerts checked Nov. 5):

Spar Lake Road #384 (Three Rivers District) is still closed to motor vehicles. Ross Creek Cedars Road #398 still has storm damage from the December 2025 floods, and access is limited. The Skillet Fire closure has been rescinded and NFS Road #315 is open, but watch for hazard trees and loose debris in the burn. The Timberlane Campground closure (Libby District) is still in effect. Expect timber sale traffic near the Alexander Mountain Trail #270 off FDR #228, where part of the trail runs through the Fleetwood Jack sale. Check the alerts page and the travel map before a walk-in.

Disclaimer: This report summarizes FWP regulations, news releases, and dated public sources as of the morning of Nov. 5, 2026. It doesn’t replace the official regulations or FWP’s Hunt Planner. Check station figures are a sample of the regional harvest from stations outside Lincoln County, not a complete count, and the second-weekend numbers above are our math from FWP’s two releases. We didn’t find Lincoln County harvest or Libby CWD station numbers and don’t report results we can’t verify. Seasons, closures, and weather can change, so confirm with FWP and the Forest Service before you hunt.

Sources: FWP, Northwest Montana reports slightly lower harvest numbers through the second week of general season, Nov. 2, 2026; FWP, General deer and elk hunting season opens in northwest Montana, Oct. 27, 2026; FWP, Reminder: baiting and feeding game animals is illegal in Montana, Nov. 4, 2026; FWP, west-central Montana check stations, Nov. 2, 2026; FWP, north-central Montana (Augusta), Nov. 2, 2026; FWP, Notice of bighorn sheep closure HD 502, Nov. 2, 2026.

More sources: FWP Hunting Seasons (checked Nov. 5, 2026); FWP Wolf species page; FWP 2026 Northwest Montana Big Game Forecast, via The Outdoor Wire; NWS Missoula forecast for Troy (updated Nov. 5, 2026); Kootenai National Forest alerts (checked Nov. 5, 2026).

Heading out for the third weekend? Stop by Booze ‘N Bait at 315 E Missoula Ave in Troy for guns, ammo, and gear, and check our best hunting days before you go.