State of Montana Newsroom
Governor Gianforte Announces Winners of the 2025 Youth Hunting Contest
HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the winners of the 2025 Youth Hunting Story Contest.
“Montana’s youth hunters are the future of our state’s proud hunting tradition,” said Gov. Gianforte. “We received nearly 150 stories from young hunters across Montana this year, each showing passion, skill, and respect for the outdoors. I look forward to welcoming the top ten winners to the State Capitol in the new year to celebrate their achievements and our hunting heritage.”
Xavier McCormack of Helena recognized as a winner of the 2025 Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest
Governor Gianforte created the Youth Hunting Story contest in 2022 for Montana youth and apprentice hunters between the ages of 10 and 17.
To enter the contest, resident hunters submitted a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their hunt. Eligible entries included the harvest of any legal game, furbearer animals, or birds in Montana. Read their stories here.
The governor will recognize the ten winning hunters in the State Capitol in the new year. Winning hunters will receive prizes from Stone Glacier, Vista Outdoor, Sitka, J2 Taxidermy, Kenetrek, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Murdoch’s, and Zink’s Big Sky Archery Targets.
“Our partners have stepped up to provide incredible prizes that will support these young hunters for years to come,” the governor added. “I thank Stone Glacier, Vista Outdoor, Sitka, J2 Taxidermy, Kenetrek, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Murdoch’s, and Zink’s Big Sky Archery Targets for their generosity and for helping us honor Montana’s next generation of hunters.”
The winning hunters are below, and their stories can be viewed here.
Xavier McCormack of Helena (11 years old) for the story of his bird dog Willy and their pheasant hunt.
Kael Milam of Havre (12 years old) for the story of his first year of hunting antelope.
Beau Becker of Brockton (13 years old) for the story of his Thanksgiving Day buck.
Emmy Parsons of Boulder (13 years old) for the story of her deer hunt with her grandpa and uncle.
Scott Johnson of Columbia Falls (13 years old) for the story of his archery day success even with a little bear spray mishap.
Brooklyn Bieber of Frenchtown (14 years old) for the story of her “walk and wait’ deer hunt.
Wyatt McKenzie of East Helena (14 years old) for the story of his appreciation for Montana private landowners and his opportunity to harvest an elk.
Eliana Johnston of Laurel (15 years old) for the story about standing by her hunting ethics during her elk hunt.
Isaiah Kuehnel of St. Ignatius (15 years old) for the story of his thankful spirit during his deer hunt.
Samuel Kirby of Belt (17 years old) for the story of his first solo elk hunt.
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