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Committee advances ‘early bird’ bill allowing Montana residents 10‑day head start on upland game season
Summary
The Senate Fish and Game Committee voted to advance SB 514, which would let Montana residents hunt upland game birds up to 10 days before nonresidents (excluding Montana grouse) after the committee adopted an amendment excluding certain private lands and enhancement‑program properties.
Senator Greg Hunter (Senate District 15) introduced legislation, Senate Bill 514, to let Montana residents hunt upland game birds up to 10 days before nonresidents while keeping overall season length unchanged. "This bill is basically not changing anything as far as the length of the time that the season is open, just allowing resident hunters to actually get a early bird shot at those birds," Hunter told the committee.
Proponents urged support on conservation and local‑economy grounds. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation said the bill "ensures all Montanans who actually contribute to local conservation efforts and economy play a key role in sustaining the wildlife populations." Supporters framed the measure as prioritizing residents while still welcoming nonresident hunters.
Outfitters and guides raised concerns that the unamended bill could shorten viable guiding seasons on private lands. Will Israel, executive director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, told the committee he opposed the bill as written but would support a version that excluded privately owned lands not enrolled in hunting‑access programs. Remote witnesses Chad Hoover and Casey Phelps, both upland‑bird outfitters, echoed those economic concerns and confirmed support for an amendment to protect leased or outfitted private ground.
Ron Howell, chief of law enforcement for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, appeared as an informational witness and explained the commission’s role in setting exact dates. "The commission shall allow residents to hunt 10 days prior," Howell said, adding that the commission will set specific dates before each season; the bill lists an effective date of March 1, 2026. The committee adopted a conceptual amendment to exclude privately owned lands not part of hunting access programs (and to reference upland game bird enhancement lands), then voted to advance SB 514 as amended to the Senate floor.
The committee’s action was procedural: it advanced SB 514 as amended and did not set final season dates. If enacted, the statute would authorize the Fish and Wildlife Commission to set resident‑only start dates within the parameters described in the bill and amendment.
