Legislators and other members of the Environmental Quality Council are checking out a new pheasant operation at the state prison this month. The 2021 Legislature voted to spend $1 million in state and federal funds to implement a pen raised pheasant-rearing operation through the Montana Correctional Enterprises at the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge.  Under the plan, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks funds the operation and will release up to 50,000 phesants a year on state lands.

Some releases are aimed at the youth pheasant season opener while others will occur later in October and November to increase hunting opportunities for all hunters.

The Montana State Prison wrote a biosecurity plan for the operation in consultation with staff from FWP and the Department of Livestock.  The plan includes These protocols for people entering the egg incubation and chick brooding facility.