Montana BHA / Saturday, July 23, 2022 / Categories: Media, State Issues Montana’s Controversial Pheasant Stocking Program Moves Forward Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is moving forward with a controversial program to stock pen-raised pheasants on state-owned lands in an effort to recruit more hunters. FWP is now seeking final approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to fund the program through 2026, and the department hopes to get birds on the ground before the youth hunting season starts in September. Although the program has received significant pushback from hunters and sportsmen’s groups in the state, stocking could begin as early as next month, according to the Lewistown News-Argus. Outdoor Life reported on the inception of the state’s pheasant-planting program last June. Since then, FWP has doubled down on its position that the initiative will help with hunter recruitment and retention efforts by giving youth hunters more birds to shoot. The department has also contended that the release of farm-raised birds can serve to boost wild bird populations in the state. Read more from Outdoor Life here... Previous Article North Dakota Prepares For An Event Filled August Next Article Forest Management Bill to Reverse ‘Cottonwood Decision’ Clears Senate Committee Print 1 Rate this article: No rating Tags: Montana 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