Montana’s Z100 Great Pumpkin Hunt Returns for Its 63rd Year

It's that time again! Fall is here in Montana, and one of our big fall traditions is hunting. Not just hunting for game, but hunting for something a little different: the Z100 Great Pumpkin! 

This Montana tradition has been around for 62 years, and it is almost time to start the hunt for the 63rd year. 

From Humble Beginnings: The First Great Pumpkin Prizes

The Great Pumpkin goes way back. Believe it or not, the very first prizes included a case of Dippity Do hair gel and some pens. Why? Because the radio station had those prizes and needed to figure out a way to give them away! 

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Meet the Founder: Vern Argo and the Launch of the Hunt

That’s where our good pal Vern Argo came in. He started the Great Pumpkin tradition and hid it somewhere around Missoula.

Over the years, that pumpkin has been hidden in all kinds of places. Some years, it's found quickly. Other years, the search takes a little longer. Sometimes people stumble across it completely by accident. We have even had dogs find it. 

The Competitive Spirit: Close Calls and Unexpected Finds

Every year, some people come close but miss out. Others end up nowhere near the pumpkin. Occasionally, someone finds it much faster than anyone expected. 

We have also been asked over the years if anyone has ever simply stolen the Great Pumpkin. The answer is no. Besides, we want you to find it; that's why we offer a reward!

Exclusive Membership: The Few Who Have Found the Pumpkin

Here is what makes this tradition even more interesting. You might think that after 62 years, we would have 62 different Great Pumpkin winners. That's not the case. The number of people who have found the pumpkin is even smaller because a few lucky hunters have managed to find it more than once. 

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That makes the club of Great Pumpkin finders an especially exclusive one. Will this finally be your year to join it? 

Clue Countdown: Your Pumpkin Pursuit Begins Soon!

The clues begin October 21! 

Get ready to put on your detective hat, follow the clues, and start searching. 

After all these years, you could be the next person to find it.