Montana Teen Wins New Big Game Wildlife Art License Plate Contest

Montana's roads are about to get a beautiful new look, thanks to a talented student artist and a mission to protect our big game.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that earlier this year, they and conservation partners partners held an art contest for the new Montana Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings License Plate.

A "GRAND" PRIZE FOR A GRAND DESIGN

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), in collaboration with Montana FWP, and Old Salt Co-op, hosted an event in Helena to celebrate Kylie Bute’s winning design. Kylie is   of the Montana Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings License Plate Artwork Contest. Kylie is a 2025 graduate of Gallatin High School in Bozeman. Her idea for a majestic bull elk approaching a wildlife crossing at the foot of mountain peaks won the hearts of the judges, AND won Kylie a $1,000 cash prize.

Noah Davis of TRCP tells us that Bute’s winning design will soon appear on specialty plates available to Montana drivers, with proceeds benefiting wildlife connectivity and wildlife-vehicle collision risk reduction projects through Montana FWP’s newly established Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account.

THE DIRECTOR'S THOUGHTS

Montana FWP Director Christy joined the Helena celebration and spoke about the importance of wildlife crossings and safe migration routes for big game species:

“Meaningful conservation efforts take all of us working together. This is a great example of how state agencies and conservation organizations can partner with community groups to find unique ways to help protect wildlife migration and provide for public safety."

READ MORE: Beautiful New Montana Griz Nike N7 Logo Honoring Native Culture

WHAT THE NEW PLATE BENEFITS

The new specialty license plate will raise awareness and funding for the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which will help build infrastructure that helps animals cross highways and safely maintain their natural migration routes.

Montana’s big game species — elk, mule deer, moose, pronghorn and more — depend on the ability to move freely across the landscape to survive. Seasonal migration is essential for accessing food, water and habitat, but highways can pose serious barriers to that movement.