Montana Hunters Could Win Huge Prizes With FWP’s Protect the Hunt

There are some guidelines I have always attempted to follow as a hunter when allowed to hunt on private land:

Respect their land. If needed, be willing to lend a helping hand. If possible, assist in repairing some of the fence. Assist in locating missing cattle. Do not leave trash behind. And most likely one of the simplest guidelines: if you see a gate closed, close it behind you.

It is closed for a reason.

Read More: Why Montana Hunters Get A 10-Day Upland Game Bird Head Start

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is willing to give us some pretty incredible prizes just for proving we understand that.

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Take A Quick Survey, and You May Win

The FWP Hunter-Landowner Stewardship Program is part of the agency's "Protect The Hunt" initiative, which aims to educate hunters on private-property access issues as well as provide insight into the views of Montana landowners.

To put it very simply, you watch some short video clips (each approximately five minutes long) on a variety of subjects such as hunting safety, landowner-hunter relationships, hunting access and respect for working lands. After viewing these video clips, you are asked to complete a quick quiz about your understanding of the material presented during each clip.

Scott Lewis

If you pass the quiz, you may enter into a random drawing for an extremely impressive batch of prizes. FWP reports that eleven (11) winners will be selected through the random-drawing process in the Spring of 2027.

And these prizes are far more than just a free hat and bumper sticker.

The Prizes Are Very Impressive

A winner along with a guest will be able to enjoy a guided hunt at MPG Ranch located south of Missoula. Montana Outfitting Company will award another guided hunt, with the winner's choice of elk, deer, antelope, upland game birds or varmints.

Matt Dirksen

Montana Knife Company will present a Full MKC Culinary Set to our lucky winner. Capital Sports in Helena has prepared a Hunting Package filled with equipment. This package includes a Christensen Arms .300 Win Mag rifle, GPO scope, Vortex Binoculars and Rangefinder, a Stone Glacier Pack, SITKA Gear, Kenetrek Boots, Cooler and Gift Cards.

Zoran Skaljac

Not to mention other great there are prizes available from Maven, onX and Weatherby.

Not bad for demonstrating you know how to close a gate!

Private Property Access is Not Something Hunters Should Take For Granted

While I am excited about the potential prizes associated with this program, I believe there is a far greater reason I support this program.

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Hunters in Montana owe a debt of gratitude to private landowners who allow hunters access to their properties. Each time a ranch owner allows a hunter onto their property, there is a significant level of trust involved. In my opinion, if a hunter is given permission to hunt on someone's property, he/she should make it a point to leave the relationship better off than when he/she arrived. If there is some fencing that requires repair, volunteer to help. If the ranch owner is searching for lost cattle and you come across them, contact someone so they can notify him/her. Show respect. Show appreciation. Be a Good Neighbor.

For God's sake... Close The Damn Gate.

If a single hunter behaves poorly enough on someone's property to cause the property owner to determine that allowing public access is no longer worth the headaches, then everyone loses.

This is exactly why I would encourage Montana hunters to take some time and complete FWP's Hunter-Stewardship Program. Regardless of whether you win anything or not, it serves as a nice reminder that preserving hunting access is not only the responsibility of FWP or the landowner.

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It is Our Responsibility As Well.

But let's be honest

If FWP wishes to reward hunters with a guided elk hunt and other hunting gear for behaving themselves on someone else's property, I will definitely not complain.