Youth pheasant and waterfowl weekend kick-off event scheduled in Kalispell

KALISPELL - Families are invited to attend a kickoff barbecue in Kalispell to warm up for Montana's youth pheasant and waterfowl weekend.

The event is Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Flathead Valley Clay Target Club, 1290 Prairie View Road. The event is co-hosted by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Pheasants Forever - Flathead Valley Chapter, and the Flathead Valley Clay Target Club.

This event is planned ahead of the youth pheasant and waterfowl weekend of Sept. 23-24, which is open for properly licensed youth ages 10-15.

The free kickoff event will include food, giveaways, information on firearm safety, bear safety, bird identification and other educational materials, and an opportunity to shoot clay targets. Shotguns, shells, and targets will be provided under the supervision of certified hunter education instructors. Families can bring their own shotguns to shoot. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.

Prior to the youth weekend, FWP will release pheasants, raised by Montana Correctional Enterprises, on state-owned lands with suitable pheasant habitat. The purpose of the pheasant release program is to give youth hunters an opportunity to experience hunting success, encouraging their future participation.

At the Kalispell event on Sept. 19, attendees will be able to enter a drawing for a limited hunting opportunity at Foys Bend Fisheries Conservation Area near Kalispell, where pheasants will be released prior to the youth weekend. Foys Bend FCA is open to limited hunting opportunities by reservation only. Youth 10-15 will be entered into a drawing to hunt Foys Bend FCA in limited group sizes on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24. Families interested in entering a 10-15-year old into the drawing can attend the event or call the FWP office in Kalispell on Monday and Tuesday, 8 am to 5 pm, at 406-752-5501.

In northwest Montana, this fall pheasants will also be released at North Shore Wildlife Management Area off Montana Highway 82 between Somers and Bigfork.

For more information, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/youth-hunt.