House Fish, Wildlife and Parks advances three bills on sick-youth hunting permits, predator relocation notice and a budget diversion fix

The Montana House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Saturday advanced three bills affecting hunting licenses, wildlife relocation and agency funding.

Representative Paul Fielder, sponsor of House Bill 817, told the committee the bill would let state Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) issue free special‑permit licenses for elk, deer and antelope to youths under 18 who have been diagnosed with a life‑threatening illness and recommended by a Montana charitable or nonprofit organization. "This bill basically explains everything in the title, and I'm happy to bring this bill today because I think it's a noncontroversial bill," Representative Paul Fielder said.

The bill would allow up to five special permit licenses per year and limit issuance to no more than one license per species in any single hunting district in a year. Licenses are one‑time, for a single hunting season, and require a physician's documentation of the youth's diagnosis. Hunting under the permit must occur within the license's conditions and in the company of an adult holding a Montana hunting license or a licensed Montana outfitter representing the recommending nonprofit; the nonprofit may assist with licensing and the hunt. The bill also allows FWP to waive hunter education requirements for qualifying youths and, under certain license terms, permit hunting from a vehicle while mentored by the licensed adult or outfitter.

Will Israel,…