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