To celebrate our hunting heritage in Montana, Governor Greg Gianforte in 2022 hosted the inaugural Youth Hunting Story Contest for Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10-17. Governor Gianforte selected ten winning hunters from hundreds of entries statewide.
To enter the contest, hunters submit a story of no more than 500 words and a photo from their hunt. Hunters must be a Montana resident and a licensed hunter or apprentice hunter between the ages of 10 and 17. Eligible entries include the harvest of any legal game, furbearer animals, or birds in Montana.
Youth hunters wanting to submit their stories can expect the contest to open every fall, with the exact date varying.
The deadline to enter this year’s contest was Monday, December 2, 2024. The governor selects 10 hunters, five aged 10-13 and five aged 14-17, and the winners are invited to the Capitol to celebrate with the governor and receive their prizes in the new year.
The 2024 contest's prize partners included Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, J2 Taxidermy, Murdochs, Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
2024 Montana Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest Winners
- Ambreigh Morris, Baker
- Amelia Saylor, Wilsall
- Hannah Smith, Bozeman
- Hays Darr, Bozeman
- Jacob Reddish, Lakeside
- Layton Arnold, Belgrade
- Malena Altschwager, Corvallis
- Noah Wheatley, Deer Lodge
- Remuda Seymour, Dillon
- Wyatt Mosher, Jefferson City
A special thank you to J2 Taxidermy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, Murdochs, and Montana Outfitters and Guides Association for donating prizes to the 2024 winning hunters.
View the 2024 winning stories here: 2024 Youth Hunting Booklet
Previous Winners
2023 Montana Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest Winners
- Aidan Walker, Miles City
- Caroline Dudden, Great Falls
- Inslee Moran, Arlee
- Maizy Miller, Missoula
- Mollie Ruth, Big Timber
- Samuel Prescott, Florence
- Sierra Dockter, Conrad
- Weston Hobley, Capitol
- William Sheehan, Big Sky
- Wyatt Smith, Billings
A special thank you to J2 Taxidermy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, Murdochs, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, and Vista Outdoor for donating prizes to the 2023 winning hunters.
View the 2023 winning stories here: 2023 Youth Hunting Booklet
2022 Montana Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest Winners
- Brynlee Epperson, Lewistown
- Emaline Musson, Belgrade
- Grayson Fulton, Colstrip
- Greyson Garza, Belt
- Jack Heicher, Townsend
- Jaeger Tombre, Savage
- Jason Michalsky, Billings
- Lilly Ebert, Whitehall
- Mika Smith, Charlo
- Ruthy Vinson, Manhattan
A special thank you to J2 Taxidermy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sitka, Stone Glacier, and Vista Outdoor for donating prizes to the 2022 winning hunters.
View the 2022 winning stories here: https://news.mt.gov/Governors-Office/2022-Youth-Hunting-Booklet.pdf
