Pre-registration required for free event previewing Youth Pheasant & Waterfowl Weekend Sept. 23, 24

MILES CITY – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Custer Rod & Gun Club will host a free Youth Trap Shoot and Safety Refresher at the club’s trap range in Miles City on Saturday, Sept. 16 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event is in preparation for the Montana Youth Pheasant & Waterfowl Weekend on Sept. 23 and 24.

Any licensed hunters 15 and under are invited to take part, but they must pre-register for this event with FWP by Wednesday, Sept. 13 by calling 406-234-0900 or emailing mprell@mt.gov.

During the Safety Refresher, which will be at the Custer Rod & Gun Club range at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area, club members will review safe gun handling, shooting lanes and field ethics. Following the refresher and a free lunch, youths will participate in non-competitive trap shooting on the range.

Youths will receive free hats and will have a chance to win prizes including hunting vests. Participants should bring their own firearms and ammunition. FWP will cover the cost of clays.

This is one of several kick-off events being held around the state for the Youth Pheasant & Waterfowl Weekend. Prior to the youth weekend, FWP will release pheasants, raised by Montana Correctional Enterprises, on state-owned lands with suitable pheasant habitat. The purpose of the pheasant release program is to give youth hunters an opportunity to experience hunting success, encouraging their future participation.

In addition to pheasants, licensed hunters, 15 and under, will be able to hunt ducks, mergansers, geese and coots statewide on these two days.

In southeast Montana, pheasants will be released at Isaac Homestead and Amelia Island Wildlife Management Areas near Hysham.