Businesses and conservation organizations donate prizes for participants

HELENA – Hunting packs, day packs, binocular harnesses, bear spray holsters. These are just some of the prizes awarded to landowners during appreciation dinners for their participation in FWP’s Block Management Program. Most of those items were part of the $39,000 in gear donated by Mystery Ranch, an outdoor equipment company based in Bozeman.

“The Montana Block Management Program is crucial to hunter access in our state, and we wanted to show our appreciation to the participating landowners for the opportunities they help provide,” said Luke Buckingham, director of operations at Mystery Ranch. “We know they will put the bags, packs and accessories to good use.”?

The Block Management Program is Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ largest access program that works with private landowners to manage public access across the state. In exchange for allowing free public hunting access on private and public land, enrolled landowners receive help in managing hunting opportunities, including enforcement patrol and compensation for each hunter that accesses their property.

Each year, FWP hosts appreciation banquets across the state for landowners enrolled in the program. In past years other businesses and conservation organizations have donated gift items and prizes for landowner appreciation dinners. Items have included fencing materials, calf shelters, chainsaws, gift cards and other items. Monetary donations for landowner gifts are also accepted through the Montana Outdoor Legacy Foundation.

Access to private lands is a critical part of the Montana hunting heritage. Landowner participation in hunting access programs, like Block Management, are critical to ensuring this tradition of hunting continues in Montana.

“I want to wholeheartedly thank each and every landowner who participate in our hunter access programs,” said FWP Director Christy Clark. “Our landowners support, protect and reinforce Montana’s hunting tradition. These appreciation dinners are just one small way we can say thanks for allowing access to Montana's excellent hunting opportunities.”

Look online for more information on FWP programs aimed at helping landowners.

Appreciation Dinners Recognize Landowners Who Participate in FWP's Block Management Program