04/01/2026
Two opportunities are presently open for hunters to give feedback to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on upland hunting.
1. a first-ever proposal for mountain grouse trails in western Montana, and, There has been a years-long effort to develop trail recommendations for different stakeholders using a 40,000+ acre state-owned area in the mountains west of Missoula, the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area and state park. Our Upland association is leading an initiative to identify for the first time in Montana 20+ miles of mountain grouse hunting trails on public ground. And in fall '26 there is no new 10-day non-resident delay for mountain grouse hunting, so this initiative may be attractive to all our members from wherever you hail.
The landscape is shrubby hillsides and grassy parks broken by pine, fir, and aspen intersecting seasonal drainages and springs. This often steep country was historically logged with over 300 miles of primitive roads now contouring along mountainsides. This landscape isn't pristine, but it is productive. Much of this area supports populations of Ruffed and Dusky grouse, as well as big game. Many historic roads are already closed to motorized use but can be approached by open roads. Most closed roads will stay that way because if our preferred grouse hunting routes are adopted these will be for foot hunters only from Sept. 1 through season end.
Upland bird hunters have two weeks- until April 15- to submit comments supporting this precedent-setting mountain grouse trail proposal. The recommendations are brief, and can be found at pages 8-9 at this link grouse trail recommendations. Comments can be submitted at this link Submit Comments Here. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FCCComment Please provide comments in support of Recommendations 11, 12 and 13 which would identify 20+ miles of grouse hunting trails in various Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area locations.
2. a brief survey on hunter satisfaction with pen-raised pheasants being raised at the Deer Lodge prison, and released in many Wildlife Management Areas in central and eastern Montana since 2022. Up to $1mil. of hunting license revenues and fi****ms excise taxes are being expended annually with otherwise could be used for habitat improvement and new upland hunting access. If you've attempted to hunt these released birds, what is your opinion of the program? Take the survey here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BNMJC5K
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