[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624090,"mediaKeyId","2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6","parentId",2768603,"title","Lawmakers back study to assess rising hunting pressure and access; amendment on private-lease data draws concern","audioSeconds",1551,"startMs",4943620,"endMs",6495320,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6&start=4943&end=6495","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6/thumbnail_4943620.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624090/Montana/Lawmakers-back-study-to-assess-rising-hunting-pressure-and-access-amendment-on-private-lease-data-draws-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624090-f86da2f89ee62566933553375d1ec0f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775417994&Signature=Lk1wk-PxwWgCyUpNF8uFXJh05LmVIjxehgyriiRjO11xLv0CE3Us1m7D8yqnOn1iOU1yccG0y87jlCWUUEGyQauig1pA~PDwy6iauFfC-DlmyrtqGSAf3UGJyCxxiMgfoO34gvay9yFs-uLVul3bjq070N0JNOpem7gCo4OWPlm4n8JXT6A4jgeLyuGi7FiSlHzX1J9FkvAH6ridl4i8BRPf84B3qVXjxRTnpH3TZxkSbrymvcCEReYXnlRaWnryMymww3UlIliJQGOKYbWujDUVoAys6LIvCh~1m-21vFBCM4MChsQ4L-o3-6WLKjQ2Cb1ksl1vbMpUdf8pmTgSfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Courtney Sprunger introduced House Bill 568, titled “Montana Hunters First,” to request a formal study by Fish, Wildlife & Parks into hunting season structure, hunter distribution, block-management participation and the effects of rising nonresident hunting pressure.

Sprunger told the committee that resident license sales have surged and that license statutes cap antlered elk and deer at specified numbers; she said hunter success is declining while days afield have increased. The bill, she said, is intended as a stakeholder-driven, data-focused study to assemble harvest, license, access and human-dimensions information to support policy options for future sessions.

Proponents included conservation groups, hunting clubs and many individual hunters: Larry Sickerson (Helena Hunters and Anglers) asked the committee to include upland species; Ben Lamb (Montana Conservation Society) and Charlie Booher (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) supported the bill as a way to produce defensible data. Matt Leo (Montana chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers) and other proponents stressed that anecdotes are not adequate and that the study should collect location-of-effort, harvest and block-management enrollment data across regions.

Opponents or commenters with concerns included the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, which supported the study concept but objected to a late amendment that would have required Fish, Wildlife & Parks to collect private-land lease acreage and duration information. The outfitter representative said private-lease inventories change rapidly, can be of limited value and raise private-property and liability questions; the sponsor subsequently explained she is willing to remove the private-lease acreage request to address those concerns and the related fiscal/technical notes.

FWP’s conservation policy chief appeared as an informational witness and said the department would rely on and expand existing harvest and human-dimensions survey methods, license-bureau sales data and targeted surveys to determine hunter locations, public- and private-land use and species-specific effort. The department and sponsor discussed scope and the prospect of including upland birds and waterfowl in the study.

Representative Sprunger closed by stressing constituent concerns and urging the committee to pass the bill so the department and stakeholders can develop data-driven policy proposals ahead of the 2027 session. Committee members asked technical questions about amendment choices and fiscal impacts; the sponsor and stakeholders signaled willingness to refine the bill language to remove the private-lease acreage request and to include upland/waterfowl where warranted.

No committee final vote was recorded in the hearing; the committee took testimony and asked for clarifying follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Fish and Game - Mar 25, 2025 14:45 - 18:00","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 568 (Montana Hunters First) would require Fish, Wildlife & Parks to conduct a stakeholder-driven study of hunting-season structure, hunter distribution, block-management enrollment and impacts of rising license sales; proponents urged a do-pass while outfitters objected to an amendment calling for private land-lease data.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624095,"Non-ambulatory trail pass bill draws support, departmental concerns over scope and implementation",1213,3680380,4894080,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6&start=3680&end=4894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6/thumbnail_3680380.jpg","/articles/6624095/Montana/Non-ambulatory-trail-pass-bill-draws-support-departmental-concerns-over-scope-and-implementation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624095-90acc2e6506072e14276f7b240b43749/orig.mp4?Expires=1775417994&Signature=SKcbMKdhmvsQlyKqpWNzd2A7Qpsnl5bfAMZJ-lBJEr8LTuSPq~gsDP7KmegJizITZhveQ9CkcRyyy8fbCtyS7lfVi8iCFrMYcAaTRrbINVph9D6nEQB4T1bZjDa8uawX~74SVzt1XYl2-U-v4If4hRX6~gOVH1Kr9m3dMrVxrkeSy4ynw6Pw4YeKIlQc51wYBybdQd5-yRPKCKYkrps2eAH3iqeYjq2Vbn8jL5en0uOAu6rpMmDZOnmVq-gYXyJaj9AL-DP5L7wuXUwHUuNdcW4dOVrjpLGO9eM6IaFcBs9uA~AJF~5Ii6kAKWkRBxY6-TnYCpX-O~8wUR-jXlcCqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Sarah Novak introduced Senate Bill 533 to the Fish and Game Committee as legislation to create a non-ambulatory recreation access pass and a $5 motorized-recreation pass for eligible users to improve access to some trails and roads on state-managed lands.

Novak said the bill’s intent is to allow people who use motorized wheelchairs or other motorized equipment because they are non-ambulatory to access appropriate trails and to prompt FWP to classify and post trail accessibility information. She urged the committee to view the bill as a start to a broader conversation about accessibility on state lands and parks.

Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks legal counsel testified in soft opposition. The counsel told the committee the department does not oppose the concept but raised implementation concerns: the bill’s definitions of “public trails” and “recreation trail road” reference state lands “designated, maintained, mapped, and marked by the state land management agency,” which would extend FWP’s obligations to trails on state lands administered by other agencies (notably DNRC). The department said it lacks the authority, staffing and mapping responsibility to assume classification and posting obligations across other agencies’ properties without further interagency agreement.

FWP legal counsel also warned about section 5’s requirements to open or reopen trails and roads and to post restrictions online and at trailheads; counsel said those duties are unclear and could expose the department to challenges over how it fulfills reopening, maintenance and posting obligations. The department also raised a potential ADA concern about charging a fee for the pass and whether charging a disability-related fee would run afoul of federal law.

Supporters included disability-advocacy witnesses who described personal experience with limited trail access and urged accommodation. Proponents emphasized the bill targets state-managed lands and not federal lands because the state lacks jurisdiction over federal properties. Senator Novak said she would work with FWP to refine language and suggested piloting a limited number of trails per region to make implementation manageable.

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers registered opposition, expressing concern that expanding motorized access could undermine seasonal closures intended to protect wintering elk and preserve hunting opportunity; the group asked the committee to table the bill until language is narrowed to avoid negative wildlife impacts.

The committee did not take a final vote in this hearing; sponsors and agency staff agreed to continue work on definitions, interagency responsibilities and potential pilot approaches.","Senate Bill 533 would create a non-ambulatory motorized recreation pass for state-managed trails and roads to improve access for people using motorized wheelchairs; the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks supported the concept but opposed the draft language, citing unclear obligations, cross-agency mapping responsibilities and ADA concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624100,"Sponsor says new trespass penalty aimed at 'bad actors'; Fish, Wildlife & Parks backs bill to protect private land",1887,1667480,3554670,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6&start=1667&end=3554","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6/thumbnail_1667480.jpg","/articles/6624100/Montana/Sponsor-says-new-trespass-penalty-aimed-at-bad-actors-Fish-Wildlife-Parks-backs-bill-to-protect-private-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624100-259a8be9018b62778e3356a2cadb127f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775417994&Signature=GNSz4WEsjp1pRr63IXlS2kjfvMrkeLNRKcyd7yJ14YPnMu19vH4c4En47mCMyKxZwusgvJw1cO68IuPVQhcbgx5JCT6cedQIWkCoX-qBue4M0jNwrIn4gYAkEUrKb8Kvmad~tPK04DMiXVrMX3dmaPXhpAu9N4hMGdRuN0DBabBIrumKRwz0PC~mKrMITz8EX0JkApQmiykirCwUSIkA~koEG-rVMqM4bjBUy0mqpB7yyDkekyJzinv7Wc42aJtc9uFUt0zGn7eHoa3pKTmib5iP5EdSjIzljOdmVcuF5OCn6mG5B78wByo4gXHnFafvuqzia5T6WlB5FwDvJB1Juw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jill Cohenour, sponsor of House Bill 354, told the Senate Fish and Game Committee that the bill would allow revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for individuals convicted of knowingly trespassing to collect shed antlers or horns on private property or on lands where prohibitions are posted.

“...this language ... is so that any property regardless of ownership,” Cohenour said, explaining the bill’s change to apply revocation language beyond Fish, Wildlife and Parks lands to private property and other posted lands. She described the problem as a targeting of “bad actors” who repeatedly cross posted or otherwise restricted property to collect antlers and said the measure sets a high bar for enforcement because the state must prove the person “knew” the entry was unlawful.

Ron Howell, chief of law enforcement for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, testified in support on behalf of the director, describing an increase in targeted trespass for antlers, including out-of-state actors who use accomplices and night drops to avoid detection. “These bad actors are individuals that had made a conscious decision to knowingly enter posted private property to collect shed antlers for profit without asking permission,” Howell said. He told the committee that the current bond amount often used is $185 and that criminal trespass penalties are currently insufficient compared with the resale value of large elk antler sets.

Other proponents included county residents and interest groups: Will Israel of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Karli Johnson of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Andy Moore representing Montana Stockgrowers, Ben Lamb of the Montana Conservation Society, and Charlie Booher of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Representatives of ranching groups and block-management cooperators described livestock stress and safety impacts caused by repeated intrusion during winter and spring.

Committee members asked detailed process questions about enforcement and scope. Howell said the statute requires that land be posted or the landowner notify the individual, and that the burden of proof on “knowingly” entering or remaining unlawfully would be high. He said wildlife-management areas and other state properties can be closed or posted seasonally and that criminal trespass could apply to public state properties while closed.

Sponsor Cohenour noted the bill’s intent is to deter conscious, repeat trespass that harms landowners and vulnerable wildlife in the spring: “This is really about criminals... the bar is high on line 16. It's knowingly.” She asked the committee for a do-pass recommendation.

No formal committee vote on HB 354 was taken in this hearing; the item was presented for committee consideration and elicited extensive testimony from both law enforcement and stakeholder organizations.

Votes were not recorded on this bill during the hearing. The committee requested clarifying questions and discussion and heard multiple examples of enforcement and prosecution challenges, including dismissed or deferred cases where large antler sets had been taken and the low monetary fine was not a significant deterrent.

Evidence: committee sponsor remarks begin in the transcript at the opening of the HB 354 hearing and proponents from law enforcement and stakeholder organizations provided the bulk of testimony through the committee’s question period.","House Bill 354 would add criminal trespass consequences and potential license revocation for knowingly trespassing to collect shed antlers; Fish, Wildlife & Parks law enforcement and multiple agricultural, conservation and outfitter groups testified in support citing growing problems and low current penalties.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624103,"Fish and Game committee concurs on several hunting bills, tables one; mixed roll-call results",1038,12721,1051290,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6&start=12&end=1051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768603-9bba6d5067cf027a6ca1e0ff71a5dbe6/thumbnail_12721.jpg","/articles/6624103/Montana/Fish-and-Game-committee-concurs-on-several-hunting-bills-tables-one-mixed-roll-call-results","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624103-228cbb4730089bf03891fa0475e0fa01/orig.mp4?Expires=1775417994&Signature=bOwOpkWV44ZpDfU98gMLedIoRsWqV0Hf04UqYmL6nLSxovjBlyQDubG3y5bicpdBZem172maa~-GM2jzeBUd~plX7wyh0NsJiz71yKVGlesvDgdRMcTJ2RckuMdOajh99uvJxdOrtI0CKHOLZQDXmEFfJmZ8O3Cy3t6Es~6kC4swNkV1yCXuIG5iNGbUoGSjCEZsukEoH6kACI3J1FHf98fvmI8jofPaDlnNM~WdhWYtZPXgYmAJi9hbRu8zoTsWAa3UFYe-s-cryY0Dmr3Tikv8bVTrKlPyTA1vRarl0HYca2LEGZeixY-8DzP7e3uChcKy-XtMl5FS35Fkg0IZkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fish and Game Committee on a consecutive series of motions on early agenda business on March 1 voted to concur in several House bills affecting hunting policy and practices and tabled one bill after recorded opposition.

The measures the committee moved forward included House Bill 244 (concurred unanimously), House Bill 259 (concurred in as amended, roll-call 9–3), House Bill 307 (unanimous), and House Bill 328 (12–0). The committee also took up House Bill 283 and ultimately voted to table it after several members recorded no votes.

House Bill 244: Committee staff summarized HB 244 as revising hunting-license rules for deployed armed service members to extend the allowable absence from the state from “outside the Continental United States” to “outside the state of Montana.” Committee members voted by voice with proxies recorded; the committee secretary announced the concurrence as unanimous and the bill will move to the Senate floor.

House Bill 259 (as amended): Committee staff summarized HB 259 as an act revising laws related to gray wolf management and specifically changing the language concerning infrared or thermal-imaging scopes. The committee adopted amendment 259.001.003 by voice and then concurred in the bill as amended. A roll-call resulted in 9 ayes and 3 nays; the chair announced the bill passes and will move to the floor. The transcript records Senators Morgeau, Novak (by proxy), and Smith (by proxy) among the recorded nays; other senators recorded aye by voice or proxy.

House Bill 283: The bill, described by staff as permitting issuance of mountain-sheep and moose tags by auction or lottery, drew more sustained debate and was ultimately tabled. Several members expressed support for maintaining existing auction practices; others favored adding a lottery option. The chair took a voice vote to table HB 283; the clerk read recorded “no” votes from Senators Flowers, Morgeau, Novak and Senator Smith among those opposing the motion to table.

House Bill 307: The committee concurred unanimously in HB 307, which revises donated license procedures for disabled veterans and clarifies who may receive a donated license. Proxies were used; the clerk announced unanimous concurrence.

House Bill 328: The committee concurred unanimously (12–0 recorded in committee minutes) in HB 328, which allows a resident hunter age 75 or older to use a general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk on qualifying private land and other listed conditions.

Votes at a glance (committee-recorded outcomes):
- HB 244 — Concurred (unanimous). Motion to concur moved; clerk recorded unanimous concurrence and reported bill will move to the floor.
- HB 259 — Concurred as amended. Amendment 259.001.003 passed; concurrence passed 9–3 (recorded nays: Senators Morgeau, Novak (proxy), Smith (proxy)).
- HB 283 — Tabled (voice vote with recorded opposition: Senators Flowers, Morgeau, Novak, Smith recorded no on the tabling motion).
- HB 307 — Concurred (unanimous).
- HB 328 — Concurred (12–0 recorded).

Committee discussion and proxy voting were frequent; several roll-call tallies referenced votes cast by proxy. Where roll-call detail was read into the record, the clerk’s announcements are reflected here. The measures that passed will be carried to the Senate floor for further action; HB 283 was tabled in committee and will not advance at this time.

(For evidence, committee roll call and staff summaries appear at the hearing opening and through the first two hours of the transcript.)","The Montana Senate Fish and Game Committee voted to concur on multiple House bills affecting hunting licenses and equipment, including unanimous approvals and a 9–3 vote on a gray wolf-related equipment bill; one bill was tabled after recorded opposition.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers back study to assess rising hunting pressure and access; amendment on private-lease data draws concern

Non-ambulatory trail pass bill draws support, departmental concerns over scope and implementation

Sponsor says new trespass penalty aimed at 'bad actors'; Fish, Wildlife & Parks backs bill to protect private land

Fish and Game committee concurs on several hunting bills, tables one; mixed roll-call results