Brianna Rentschler and Amanda Emmel hold their frog gigs and paddles. They each take kayaks out onto the water and will spear bullfrogs as they see them. (Emily Messer/Leader)
September 23, 2025
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October 19, 2025 midnight
The Mission Valley's invasive chorus of American Bullfrogs
In the dark of night, a kayak glides along the shoreline. Headlamps cut through the darkness and reflect their beams off two emerald-green eyes of an American Bullfrog. As the light freezes the frog in place, the Montana Conservation Corps crew draws their spears. A quick thrust pierces the frog’s head. This practice, known as frog gigging, is the most common hunting approach for the MCC fellows, who are the manpower of the Invasive Bullfrog Project.