About FWP > Boards, Councils & Committeees Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Advisory Council

The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program serves Montana’s residents and visitors by working with landowners to enhance upland game bird habitats and public hunting opportunities.

FWP appointed a 12-member advisory council to lead an effort to advise FWP on a long-term strategic plan for the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP); monitor program activities annually; and recommend appropriate rules for FWP to consider. Council membership includes upland game bird hunters, a chamber of commerce representative, conservationists, an upland game bird biologist, landowners, one of whom is enrolled in the Block Management program, and 2 state legislators. The Council will participate in the effort to identify, define, and make recommendations for the implementation of a long-term strategic plan.

Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program—Advisory Council, Montana Code Annotated 87-1-251
Learn more about the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program

Upcoming Meeting

Meeting Date(s): September 8-9, 2025
Location: Havre - TBD

2025 Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Agendas

March 24-25 Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Minutes

March 24-25 Meeting Minutes (Draft) (PDF)

Presentations

Spring Statewide - Hohler Program update (PDF)
Spring Region 4 - Strauch Update (PDF)
Spring Region 6 - Plourde Update (PDF)
Spring Region 7 - Hughes Update (PDF)
Spring Pheasants Forever Update (PDF)
Spring 2024 UGBEP Enrollment Summary (PDF)

2024 Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Agendas

September 9-10 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 11-12 Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Minutes

March 11-12 Meeting Minutes (Draft) (PDF)
Sept 9-10 Meeting Minutes (Draft) (PDF)

Presentations

UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Hohler Program Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Strauch R4 Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Plourde R6 Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Hughes R7 Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Pilot Projs Hughes Plourde Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Nikonow NWTF Update (PDF)
UGBEP CAC Spring 2024 - Kool Block Update (PDF)
UBGEP CAC Spring 2024 - PF Team Update (PDF)

2023 Meeting Agendas & Minutes

Agendas

March 27-28: Meeting Agenda (PDF)
September 18-19: Meeting Agenda (PDF)

Minutes

March 27-28: Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 18-19: Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Presentations

Fall 2023 Council Update – UGBEP (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - Region 4 (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - Region 6 (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - Region 7 (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - Pheasants Forever (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - National Wild Turkey Federation (PDF)
Fall 2023 Council Update - Block Management Region 7 (PDF)
Spring 2023 Council Update - UGBEP (PDF)

Meeting Agendas & Minutes from Past Meetings

Agendas

Minutes

Presentations

Western Montana Cooperative Biologist Report 2022 (PDF)
Pheasants Forever Partner Biologists 2022 (PDF)
Ranchers Stewardship Alliance 2022 (PDF)
UGBEP Biennial Report to Council 2022 (PDF)
Region 4 Fall Update 2022 (PDF)
Region 6 Fall Update 2022 (PDF)
Region 7 Fall Update 2022 (PDF)

Council Members

The following people graciously volunteer their time to make recommendations and provide continued evaluation of program objectives, goals, and performance measurements.

FWP thanks the council for their time and commitment to the UGBEP.

Doug Bonsell, Ekalaka

Email: bonsells11@gmail.com

Term ends: Fall 2026

Tom Condon, Glendive

Email: sharptailmontana@aol.com

Term ends: Fall 2025

Rep. Tom France, Missoula

Email: tom.france@mtleg.gov

Term ends: Spring 2025

Kerry O'Connell, Manhattan

Email: kerryo0899@gmail.com