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House committee backs bill to limit closures of November mule deer hunt after hours of debate
Summary
Lawmakers debated House Bill 139, which would restrict the Fish and Game Commissionfrom closing buck mule-deer hunting before Nov. 6, limit the share of districts that can be closed, and bar multi-year statewide closures. The committee recommended the bill do pass after contested floor discussion.
Representative Jay Hinkle, sponsor of House Bill 139, told the House Committee of the Whole that the bill would place modest "sideboards" on mule deer management and preserve a long-standing November rut hunt that many Montana hunters value. "House bill 139 is a protection bill for the overwhelming majority of sportsmen and women in Montana," Hinkle said.
Supporters said the bill protects hunting traditions and opportunities for families and young hunters during the rut. Hinkle said the measure does not prevent the Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission from using its management tools; rather, it would prevent the commission from removing the November buck hunt statewide, closing more than…
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