To honor Montana’s hunting traditions and celebrate the next generation of sportsmen and women, Governor Greg Gianforte is launching the Fifth Annual Montana Youth Hunting Story Contest. Montana youth and apprentice hunters ages 10 to 17 can submit their hunting story and join the hundreds of entries each year from across the state. After reviewing the entries, the governor selects ten winners, five between the ages 10–13 and five between the ages 14–17. Once selected, all winners are invited to the Capitol to share their stories and receive prizes in the new year.
2026 prize partners include Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, J2 Taxidermy and Wildlife Artistry, Crazy Creek, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Daniel Defense, Leupold, Vortex, Murdoch’s, the Montana Outfitters & Guides Association, and Zink’s Big Sky Archery Targets.
Submitting a Story
Youth hunters wanting to submit their stories can expect the contest to open every fall, with the exact date varying.
The 2026 contest will open on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
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The submission page will become available that day and can be accessed directly from this site.
2026 submissions will close Tuesday, December 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST.
Eligibility Requirements
To enter, hunters must:
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Be a Montana resident between the ages of 10 and 17
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Hold a valid hunting license or apprentice hunting license
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Submit a story of 500 words or fewer
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Include a photo from their hunt
Eligible submissions may involve the harvest of any legal game animal, furbearer, or bird in Montana.
THANK YOU, PRIZE PARTNERS!
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2025 Montana Governor’s Youth Hunting Story Contest Winners
- Beau Becker, Brockton
- Brooklyn Bieber, Frenchtown
- Eliana Johnston, Laurel
- Emmy Parsons, Boulder
- Isaiah Kuehnel, St. Ignatius
- Kael Milam, Havre
- Samuel Kirby, Belt
- Scott Johnson, Columbia Falls
- Wyatt McKenzie, East Helena
- Xavier McCormack, Helena
A special thank you to J2 Taxidermy, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sitka, Stone Glacier, Kenetrek Boots, Murdochs, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and Zink's Big Sky Archery Targets for donating prizes to the 2025 winning hunters.
View the 2025 winning stories here: 2025 Youth Hunting Booklet
Previous Winners
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
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: 2022 Youth Hunting Booklet
