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Representative proposes adding California and Gambel's quail to Montana's upland game bird list; conservation groups urge commission review
Summary
Rep. Paul Fielder introduced HB 57 to add California and Gambel's (Gambel's) quail to the statutory upland game bird list with an effective date of March 2026. Proponents said the birds aid bird-dog training; conservation groups warned of ecological and disease risks and urged review by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Representative Paul Fielder introduced House Bill 57, asking the Fish and Game Committee to add California quail and Gambel's quail to Montana's statutory definition of upland game birds so the department could manage them as game species. Fielder said the change was requested by the Environmental Quality Council and that the statutory listing would not take effect until March 2026.
Supporters testified the birds are desirable for bird-dog training and hunting. Dave Heine, a Flathead Lake landowner and bird-dog trainer, said California quail are “a really desirable bird for training all ages of pointing dogs” and that he had not encountered negative reports from biologists in neighboring states. A second proponent, Jerry…
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