Montana BHA / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Categories: Media, State Issues Commission approves release of pheasants reared at Montana State Prison The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission on Thursday approved the release of up to 50,000 pen-raised pheasants annually onto wildlife management areas, adding a stipulation that wildlife managers report annually on costs and hunter feedback. The 6-1 vote comes more than a year after the Legislature authorized spending up to $1 million each year in wildlife dollars to stand up and operate a pheasant rearing program at Montana State Prison. The inmate-run work program began raising pheasants for FWP to release as part of its hunter recruitment program. Officials will time releases before annual youth-only hunts each fall. The program has seen a mix of reactions, with supporters including the agency advocating for more opportunities for young hunters, and assuring that safety protocols will prevent potential disease transmission. FWP has cited early success as at least one factor in young people choosing to continue hunting, and both upland and migratory bird license sales have declined. Read more from the Helena Independent Republic here... Previous Article CO BHA Publishes Memo on Illegal Trails Next Article Fish and Wildlife Commission approves Big Snowy Mountain land purchase Print 0 Rate this article: No rating Tags: Fair ChaseMontana ChapterMontana issues Montana BHAMontana BHA The voice for Montana's wild public lands, waters and wildlife Other posts by Montana BHA Contact author Full biography Full biography The voice for Montana's wild public lands, waters and wildlife x