HELENA – To celebrate our hunting heritage in Montana, Gov. Greg Gianforte launched the third annual Youth Hunting Story Contest in August for Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17. The deadline to enter the contest is Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. 

To enter the contest, hunters must submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their 2024 hunt. Hunters must be Montana residents and licensed hunters or apprentice hunters between the ages of 10 and 17. Eligible entries include harvesting any legal game, furbearer animals or birds in Montana.

The governor will select 10 hunters, five aged 10 to 13 and five aged 14 to 17, and announce the winners in late December. The winners will be invited to the Capitol to celebrate with the governor and receive their prizes in January of the new year.

The 2024 contest's prize partners include Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, J2 Taxidermy, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Murdochs and the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association.

Learn more and enter at youthhunting.mt.gov.