Upland Game Bird Lovers Take Note

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Montanans interested in increasing bird populations on private land, training hunting dogs, or raising upland game birds for food, can obtain a permit by contacting Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks . These annual permits are available now and expire Dec. 31.

Landowners may release captive-reared ring-necked pheasants on their lands by obtaining a permit. Landowner should provide appropriate habitat, including sources of food, shelter, and water for the birds.

This FWP permit is available at no charge and allows for the release of up to 200 ring-necked pheasants a year on private land March 1 – Aug. 31.   Once released, the birds are considered "wild" and can only be harvested according to the upland game bird license, season requirements, and bag limits.   Only ring-necked pheasant releases are allowed. The release of chukars, Hungarian partridge, grouse, or other upland bird species is not allowed.  

Upland game bird hunters enjoy using the "off season" to get their canine hunting partners into hunting form. A dog-training permit issued by FWP allows purchase of live upland game birds from licensed game bird farms. The permit, available from FWP Regional offices free of charge, allows an individual to obtain and shoot captive-reared upland game birds in the process of training a hunting dog at any time of the year.  

The birds must be marked before they are released in a training area where the individual has the permission to conduct training exercises. Only the person holding the permit may shoot these captive-reared birds.

Those interested in raising upland game birds for consumption may obtain a permit to possess upland game birds for non-commercial purposes.  The permit allows an individual to purchase upland game birds from a game bird farm and raise the birds to eat.   The applicant must have appropriate pens or enclosures to hold the birds because the permit prohibits the release of these birds.

These upland game bird permit applications are available from the FWP regional office with authority over the area where the birds will be located.  For details, contact the nearest FWP regional office, or call: 406-444-4039.