Governor Gianforte Releases Pheasants with Youth Hunters

Encourages hunters to apply to second annual Youth Hunting Story Contest

• September 21 2023

BILLINGS, Mont. – Ahead of the annual Youth Pheasant and Waterfowl Weekend, Governor Greg Gianforte today joined youth hunters and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) staff to release pheasants at the Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

“Hunting is a proud tradition in Montana that the next generation will carry on,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Through its Roosters for Recruitment program, FWP is helping create lifelong hunters who not only love the outdoors but also value wildlife conservation.”

Gov. Gianforte releasing pheasants at Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area

Founded in 2021, FWP’s Roosters for Recruitment program aims to recruit new hunters by promoting hunter success and providing additional hunting opportunities for hunters of all ages.

In its third year, the program continues to grow as the number of birds released and the number of sites increase. In 2023, FWP will release nearly 12,000 birds through October on WMAs, fishing access sites, and some school trust lands around the state.

In partnership with the Montana Department of Corrections, the pheasants were raised at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.

Kicking off bird hunting season, Montana’s young, licensed hunters, 15 and under, can hunt pheasants, ducks, mergansers, geese, and coots statewide this weekend on youth pheasant & waterfowl weekend.

The governor is currently accepting submissions to the second annual Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest, open to Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17.

To enter the contest, hunters must submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their hunt in 2023. Hunters must be a Montana resident and a licensed hunter or apprentice hunter between the ages of 10 and 17. Eligible entries include the harvest of any legal game, furbearer animals, or birds in Montana.

The governor will select 10 hunters, five aged 10-13 and five aged 14-17, and announce the winners mid-December. Winners will be invited to the Capitol to receive prizes and celebrate with the governor in January of the new year.

The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, November 27, 2023.

To learn more and enter the Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest, visit youthhunting.mt.gov.

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