Bill to protect November mule deer rut hunting draws wide testimony and procedural debate

Summary

Representative Jedidiah Hinkle's House Bill 139 would limit commission closures of November mule-deer buck hunting and constrain how often districts could be closed; proponents argued it preserves hunting tradition and opportunity, opponents said season-setting belongs to the commission and urged reliance on the mule-deer advisory process.

Helena — House Bill 139, sponsored by Representative Jedidiah Hinkle, prompted one of the longest hearings Wednesday before the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee as proponents and opponents debated whether the Legislature should set limits on closing mule deer buck hunting during the November rut.

Hinkle said the bill aims to preserve long-standing November hunting traditions while still allowing the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission to use “every tool” it has to manage mule deer. “This bill is about protecting the opportunity to hunt mule deer during the rut, all while allowing the commission to continue to use every tool ... to manage mule deer,” Hinkle told the committee.

Under language Hinkle described to the committee, the bill would prohibit the commission from closing mule-deer buck hunting in more than 20% of hunting…

Bill to protect November mule deer rut hunting draws wide testimony and procedural debate

Summary

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