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Montana committee hears bill to allow lotteries for statewide moose, sheep tags
Summary
Supporters told the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee that adding a lottery option for statewide moose and bighorn sheep tags would raise funds and broaden access for everyday hunters; conservation groups representing auction buyers warned the change could reduce revenue for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).
Representative Tyson Running Wolf, sponsor of House Bill 283, told the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Feb. 4 that the bill would permit the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission to award statewide moose and bighorn sheep tags either by auction or by lottery. "HB 283 is a simple change ... to allow wildlife conservation organizations to use either an auction or lottery for these fundraisers," Running Wolf said, citing proposed amendments to sections 87-2-722 and 87-2-724, MCA.
The nut graf: supporters from hunting and tribal organizations said lotteries can raise substantial money while giving ordinary hunters a fairer chance at rare tags; opponents representing major conservation-auction organizations said auctions historically produce larger, more reliable revenues for species conservation.
Supporters described a recent mule deer raffle run by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) as an example. Micah…
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