Outdoors briefs

Montana youth hunting story contest deadline Dec. 2

To celebrate Montana's hunting heritage, 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. 

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.

Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee seeking applicants for education grant program

KALISPELL — The Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee is seeking applications for its education and outreach grant program, aimed at supporting efforts to recover grizzly bears and reduce human-bear conflicts.

The IGBC welcomes applicants from non-profit organizations, associations, city or county municipalities, or state, federal and Tribal entities focused on grizzly bear conservation. Proposals must be consistent with the mission of the IGBC and must be in in or near a grizzly bear ecosystem.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 12.

Learn more about the grant program at the IGBC website at https://igbconline.org/programs/bear-education/funding.