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
Questions? For more information, call Debbie Hohler at 406-444-5647, or send an email to dhohler@mt.gov
Meeting Date(s): September 14-15, 2026
Location: Conrad, MT
Agenda (PDF) Check back in August
March 23-24 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 23-24 Meeting Minutes (Draft) (PDF)
Spring Statewide - Hohler Program update (PDF)
Spring Region 4 - Strauch Update (PDF) see below
Spring Region 6 - Carpenter Update (PDF)
Spring Region 7 - Hughes Update (PDF)
Spring Pheasants Forever Update (PDF)
Spring Block Management Update
March 24-25 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
September 8-9 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 24-25 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 8-9 Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 9-10 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 11-12 Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 27-28: Meeting Agenda (PDF)
September 18-19: Meeting Agenda (PDF)
March 27-28: Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 18-19: Meeting Minutes (PDF)
September 2022 (PDF)
March 2022 (PDF)
September 2021 (Revised) (PDF)
March 2021 (PDF)
September 2020 (PDF)
March 2020 (PDF)
September 2019 (PDF)
May 2019 (PDF)
October 2018 (PDF)
March 2018 (PDF)
September 2022 (PDF)
March 2022 (PDF)
September 2021 (PDF)
March 2021 (PDF)
September 2020 (PDF)
March 2020 (PDF)
September 2019 (PDF)
May 2019 (PDF)
October 2018 (PDF)
March 2018 (PDF)
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
Rep. Tom France, Missoula
Email: tom.france@mtleg.gov
Term ends: Fall 2029
Kerry O'Connell, Manhattan
Email: kerryo0899@gmail.com
Term ends: Spring 2028
Chris Merker, Lewistown
Email: c_merker@yahoo.com
Term ends: Fall 2029
Tom Keegan, St. Ignatius
Email: Keegan@montana.com
Term ends: Fall 2029
Trent Kleppen, Plentywood, Chairman
Email: trentkleppen@gmail.com
Term ends: Fall 2026
Art Soukkala, Charlo
Email: art.soukkala@cskt.org
Term ends: Fall 2026
Scott Kanning, Billings
Email: sjkanning@gmail.com
Term ends: Fall 2027
Scot Brown, Circle
Term Ends: Fall 2028
Sen. Gregg Hunter, Glasgow
Email: Gregg.Hunter@legmt.gov
Term Ends: Fall 2029
Matt Smith, Shepherd
Email: matthew.smith@basf.com
Term Ends: Fall 2029
Tristan Veverka, Miles City
Email: veverka2002@msn.com
Term Ends: Fall 2029