Formally started in 1985 and expanded significantly in 1996, Block Management provides free public hunting experiences across the state. It does more than open acreage…the program continues to help establish positive working relationships among landowners, hunters and resource managers.
The stakes are plain…roughly 64 percent of Montana is private land, and good relationships with landowners are critical to hunters’ ability to pursue game there. A very important part of those relationships is hunters understanding how to ethically and responsibly hunt private land.
That is where the Hunter Landowner Stewardship Program comes in. The voluntary, online program features short videos organized into four themes: safety, access programs and tools, personal responsibility, and special considerations for hunting on private land. The series takes about 10 to 15 minutes, with a short quiz after each video. Hunters 18 and older who pass every quiz with a score of 85 percent or better can enter the Protect the Hunt raffle.
New for 2026, the raffle awards high-value gear and donated hunts, with 11 winners drawn at random in Spring 2027. The future looks promising, but it is dependent on hunters. Closed gates, asked permission and a few words of thanks are what keep it that way.
Take the test to enter the raffle at fwp.mt.gov/protectthehunt.
Included in the raffle:
- MPG Ranch – Chaperoned Hunt
- The prize winner and a friend will get a chaperoned hunt on the MPG Ranch south of Missoula. The prize winner may harvest a management bull elk, and an antlerless elk or either-sex white-tailed deer on the ranch, located in hunting district 204. The friend can harvest an antlerless elk or an either-sex white-tailed deer and is required to complete & pass the Hunter-Landowner Stewardship video guide + test.
- MOGA & Montana Outfitting Company – Guided Hunt
- Montana Outfitting Company is giving away ONE exclusive guided hunt—winner’s choice: Elk, Deer, Antelope, Upland Bird, or Varmint.
- Capital Sports Hunting Package
- Christensen | Ridgeline FFT Carbon Barrel Rifle in 300 Win Mag GPO | Centuri 3-18×44 Riflescope Eylar | Rifle Hard Case
- Vortex | 10×50 Viper Binoculars and Diamondback 2000 Laser Rangefinder
- Stone Glacier | Avail 2200 Pack
- Lone Mountain | 75qt Bear certified cooler
- Kenetrek | Mountain Extreme Boots (men’s or women’s)
- Sitka Gear | $500 gift card
- Capital Sports | $500 gift card
- Montana Knife Company
- MKC Culinary Set – Orange & Black
- Weatherby
- Vanguard Obsidian
- Maven
- C.1 10×42 bino and a CRF.1 rangefinder
- onX
- 5 individual | 1-Year Elite Memberships
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