Special youth turkey hunt planned in Flathead Valley

by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
| February 11, 2026 12:00 AM

This spring, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is organizing a special youth turkey hunt in the Flathead Valley.

This unique opportunity, held in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, is designed to provide youth hunters with an educational experience alongside mentors in the field.

The hunt is scheduled for May 2-3. To ensure safety and success, all selected youth hunters will be accompanied by a legal parent or guardian and a volunteer from the Turkey Federation.

Any private landowners interested in partnering to provide access to youth hunters should contact Matthew Cowan at Matthew.Cowan@mt.gov.

The application is free. To be eligible, applicants must:

Be between the ages of 10 and 15.
Possess a valid hunting license for the current year.
Submit only one application; duplicates will result in disqualification.

The drawing will be held on March 21 during the Turkey Federation banquet at The Rendezvous in Columbia Falls. Applicants do not need to be present to win.

Selected hunters and their guardians will be required to attend a mandatory pre-hunt orientation on May 1. The orientation will take place at the Flathead Valley Clay Target Club in Kalispell.

The application period opens March 2. Download the application online at the Region 1 webpage. Applications are due to the FWP office by March 20.