Montana Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP) (UGBEP)

UGBEP gives Montana landowners and public-land lessees technical and financial help to establish or enhance upland game bird habitat. Project types include habitat management leases, food and cover plots, nesting cover, shrub/shelterbelt plantings, CRP seed cost-share, cover crops, grazing infrastructure and range management. Enrolled projects must allow a negotiated level of free public upland game bird hunting.

• Private landowners and public land lessees in Montana (brochure: 'FWP partners with landowners and public land lessees in essentially two ways - project cost-shares and habitat leases').

• 'Enrolled lands should comprise at least 100 contiguous acres.'

• 'Landowners enrolled in FWP's Block Management Program are eligible to apply.'

• Access: 'FWP staff negotiate a reasonable level of free public upland game bird hunting to be allowed for the life of the contract.'

Cost-share up to 100% of material costs (varies by project type; 2024 guide says up to 75% of improvement costs); annual lease payments vary by habitat cover type; project locations are published in the annual UGBEP Projects Access Guide; program signs identify projects.

Published amounts: Brochure (2025): 'UGBEP reimburses private landowners and public land lessees up to 100 percent of the cost of material for habitat enhancements, depending on project type.' and 'Up to 100% of material costs is reimbursed when labor is provided for completing a project (cost-shares vary by type of project).' 2024 Landowner Guide: 'UGBEP pays up to 75 percent of improvement costs.' Habitat leases: 'Annual lease payments vary, depending on habitat cover type.'

Contact the UGBEP Coordinator or your regional FWP habitat specialist ('With just a phone call or e-mail, you can discover how this program can help improve habitat for game birds while also benefitting your agricultural operations.'). Application form referenced at fwp.mt.gov/ugbep.

Deadline text on the page: No deadline published for habitat projects; brochure: 'Visit the UGBEP website to learn more about the program and to download the application form: fwp.mt.gov/ugbep'. Contact regional habitat specialist to start a project.