In 2001, Montana's Legislature revamped the state's Upland Game Bird Release Program. The program can reimburse landowners for raising and releasing pheasants in suitable habitats.
The intent of the program is to establish new pheasant populations for public hunting.
Projects on private land 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.
Projects eligible for funding under the Upland Game Bird Release Program must comprise at least 160 contiguous acres of land and contain a combination of winter cover, food, nesting cover, and other upland game bird habitat components needed to establish viable upland game bird populations.
To determine if your land or project is a good fit, your FWP wildlife biologists will:
Hunting preserves, lands that host a commercial hunting enterprise, and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible. To help determine the success of this 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.
Applications are due no later than January 15 of the year pheasants are to be released through the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program. Releases take place between August 1 and September 15.
To apply and learn more details:
In 2001, Montana's Legislature revised and added a new component to the state's Upland Game Bird Release Program. The new program funds releases of wild, free-ranging birds trapped in Montana or wild turkeys brought into the state by FWP.
Want to establish wild turkeys in your area?
Each new release proposal must first undergo an environmental assessment and be approved by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission.
To determine if your proposal is a good fit, and if suitable wild turkey habitat exists, your FWP wildlife biologists will:
Hunting preserves, lands that host a commercial hunting enterprise, and lands where hunting rights are leased or paid for are not eligible.