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Upland Game Bird Program Access Guide Available

The upland game bird season is less than one month away, and hunters will soon be able to refer to the Projects Access Guide, published annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program.

Beginning Aug. 15, hunters can view and download the new guide and maps online. Click UGBEP Projects Access Guide.

The guide contains all active projects administered through the UGBEP including Open Fields, habitat management leases, food and cover plots, CRP enhancements, shelterbelts and grazing systems.

These project types are located in all FWP regions and designed to enhance upland game bird habitats on lands open to free upland game bird hunting when permission to hunt is secured.

The guide includes tables listing all habitat projects and maps that depict locations of private and public land projects enrolled in the UGBEP. Tables provide hunters with project-specific information such as project location, acres and the method to contact landowners for permission. FWP reminds hunters to obtain landowner permission before hunting private lands.

Printed access guides will be available at FWP headquarters and regional offices in late August. Hunters can also request a copy of the access guide via FWP’s website. FWP will begin mailing guides to hunters the week of Aug. 15.

Due to current dry conditions and high fire danger throughout Montana, hunters may encounter UGBEP project closures or restrictions. Hunters can check the Projects Access Guide online for current information.

Through partnerships formed with private landowners, government agencies or conservation organizations, UGBEP has a current enrollment of 473 active projects, enhancing over 330,000 acres of game bird habitat while providing nearly 800,000 acres of access for upland game bird hunting.

Hunters taking advantage of these projects and some of the amazing upland game bird hunting they offer should consider extending a thank you to the landowners. This partnership in creating upland game bird habitat and offering public access is an excellent opportunity.

For more information, contact Debbie Hohler, UGBEP coordinator, at 406-444-5674 or by e-mail: dhohler@ mt.gov.

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