BILLINGS – Block Management is a cooperative program between private landowners and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks that helps landowners manage hunting activities and provides the public with free hunting access to private land. Every year, FWP hosts Cooperator Appreciation Dinners around the state to recognize the contributions that landowners in the Block Management Program make for the hunting community. The dinners are one small way the agency can thank these partners for their role in a program whose benefits go far beyond access. In south-central Montana, dinners were held in Harlowton, Absarokee, Roundup and Billings.
This year marked the 30-year anniversary of Montana's Block Management Program, which was formally created through the 1995 Legislative Session. FWP is celebrating 315 landowners across the state who have been working with the agency to provide access since the program's inception. In south-central Montana, 26 Block Management cooperators have reached this impressive milestone.
For their voluntary participation, landowners receive impact payments from FWP based on the number of hunters that visit their property in a season. FWP collaborates with each participating landowner to create unique and specific rules and maps for properties in the program. Landowners also receive a free hunting license combination and property signs and patrol by FWP staff. For many landowners, however, the true benefit of the Block Management Program is knowing their participation perpetuates Montana's hunting heritage.
During the 2025 hunting season, there were 110 Block Management Areas in FWP's Region 5 for a total of 501,053 enrolled acres. On those properties, there were 41,450 hunter days over the 2025 season.
Interested in enrolling your property in Block Management? Applications are open until June 1 for the 2026 season. For more information on applying, visit: fwp.mt.gov/hunt/landownerprograms/block-management or, if located in south-central Montana, contact Ian Davidson at 406-247-2959.
The following landowners and ranches were recognized this year for their Block Management enrollment milestones:
30 Year Award
Adolph Family – Gage Dome
Arthun Family – Arthun Ranch
Reversed R Livestock
Brewington Ranch
Grand Duke Ranch
Downs Family – Gage Dome, Downs Ranch
Blatter Ranch
Ferster Ranch
Gabrian Ranch
JG Ranch
Jim Hanson Ranch
Herbel Ranch
MJ Jansen
Pole Creek
Lane Ranch
Lee Ranch
Melville Ranch
Milton Family – Gage Dome
Pelan Family – Gage Dome
Solf Ranch
Galloway Creek
Tranel Family – Gage Dome
Springwater Colony
Golden Valley Colony
Yanzick Ranch
25 Year Award
Kirch Ranch
20 Year Award
Lannen Ranch
Steamboat
15 Year Award
T/H Ranch
10 Year Award
Hagberg Family – Olson Bros Ranch
DeVries Family – Black Butte, Selmes, East Bench