Montana Youth Hunters: Share Your Story For A Chance To Win Big

Fall is in the air! For many, that means pumpkin patches, fall festivals, pumpkin spice lattes, and the classic “happy fall, y’all.” But for a lot of us here in Montana, fall means something else entirely: the kick-off of hunting season. Crisp mornings, bugling elk echoing through the timber, and time well spent outdoors.

For me growing up, fall wasn’t just about the changing leaves. Fall was about deer camp with my dad. Those early mornings in the woods weren’t just about hunting though. They were about learning life lessons like respect for the outdoors, appreciation for the animal, and the understanding of where food really comes from. Hunting is one of those Montana traditions that just gets passed down like a family heirloom, and it still runs strong.

To help celebrate and support this deep-rooted tradition, Governor Greg Gianforte just announced the opening of the 4th Annual Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest. This contest invites Montana youth and apprentice hunters (ages 10 to 17) to share their stories from the field. The rules are simple: write up your hunt in 500 words or less, include a photo, and send it in.

The governor will pick ten winners, five from the 10–13 age group, and five from the 14–17 group. Those lucky storytellers will score prizes and even get invited to the Capitol in January to celebrate with the governor himself.

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The deadline to enter is Tuesday, December 2, 2025. So if you’ve got a young hunter in your family, this is their shot. For details and entry info, head to youthhunting.mt.gov.