The upland game bird season is less than one month away, and hunters will soon be able to refer to the Projects Access Guide, published annually by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP).

Beginning Aug. 11, hunters can view and download the new guide and maps online at fwp.mt.gov. Click UGBEP Projects Access Guide.

The UGBEP Projects Access Guide may also be ordered online.

The guide contains all active projects administered through the UGBEP including Open Fields, habitat management leases, food and cover plots, CRP enhancements, shelterbelts, and grazing systems. These project types are located in all FWP regions and designed to enhance upland game bird habitats on lands open to free upland game bird hunting when permission to hunt is secured.

The guide includes tables listing all habitat projects and maps that depict locations of private and public land projects enrolled in the UGBEP. Tables provide hunters with project-specific information such as project location, acres, and the method to contact landowners for permission. FWP reminds hunters to obtain landowner permission before hunting private lands in Montana.

Printed access guides will be available at FWP headquarters and regional offices late August. Hunters can also request a copy of the access guide via FWP's website. FWP will begin mailing guides to hunters the week of Aug. 16.

Due to current dry conditions and high fire danger throughout Montana, hunters may encounter UGBEP project closures or restrictions. Hunters can check the Projects Access Guide online for current information.

FWP extends its thanks to all partners who collaborate on habitat conservation and access opportunities that benefit wildlife and hunters. Through partnerships formed with private landowners, government agencies or conservation organizations, UGBEP enhanced nearly 330,000 acres of habitat while providing close to 700,000 acres of access to upland game bird hunters.

For more information, contact Debbie Hohler, UGBEP Coordinator, at: 406-444-5674, or by email: dhohler@mt.gov.