Pheasant Release Program Applications Due May 15

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Landowners interested in releasing ring-necked pheasants this year have until May 15 to submit an application.

  Under Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Upland Game Bird Release Program, landowners who attempt to establish pheasant populations in suitable habitat can be reimbursed for releasing pheasants.

Landowners can apply if the land in the project area remains open to reasonable public hunting. Projects must contain a combination of the upland game bird habitat components needed to establish viable upland game bird populations.

  Projects on private and public lands submitted in partnership with youth organizations, 4-H clubs, sports groups, or other associations that can guarantee the completion of all project requirements, are also eligible.

  Landowners will be reimbursed for releasing pheasants that are at least 10 weeks old, fully feathered and beginning to resemble adult birds in size and markings at the time of the release. In addition, 40 percent of the released birds must be roosters and the birds may be required to be banded. FWP will determine reimbursement rates for released birds based on prices established by National Poultry Improvement Plan certified hatcheries or game bird growers in Montana.

  Application for releases must be made by May 15, and birds must be released between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15.

Hunting preserves, lands that host commercial hunting, and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible. To help determine the success of the program, Fergus, Richland and Roosevelt counties are not eligible. These counties will serve as “control” counties where wildlife biologists will monitor pheasant populations and compare them to counties where pheasants have been released.

   For more information and an on-line application form, visit FWP’s website at www.fwp.state.mt.us and look under Wild Things and then Montana’s Fish and Wildlife for the Upland Game Bird Programs, or contact your nearest FWP office.