Governor Launches Youth Contest for Hunting Stories

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte has opened entries for the fifth annual Montana Youth Hunting Story Contest. The competition invites young residents to share personal experiences from the field in an effort to honor the state's hunting traditions.

The contest is open to Montana residents between the ages of 10 and 17. To be eligible, participants must hold a valid hunting license or an apprentice hunting license. Submissions are limited to stories of 500 words or fewer and must include a photo from the specific hunt described.

Entries may describe the harvest of any legal game animal, furbearer, or bird in Montana. Gianforte's office reports receiving hundreds of entries in previous years. Ten total winners will be selected, with five awards going to participants aged 10 to 13 and five awards going to participants aged 14 to 17.

Winners will receive prizes and the opportunity to share their stories at the Montana Capitol. The deadline for submitting entries is Tuesday, December 2, at 11:59 p.m. local time.

The initiative aims to celebrate the next generation of sportsmen and women. By gathering these narratives, the state seeks to keep local hunting stories in the public eye. Young hunters have until the end of the year to compile their final words and images for review.