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Bill to ban same‑day use of motion-tracking devices in hunting advances through hearing
Summary
Sen. Pat Flowers told the committee SB 63 would prohibit using or relaying information from motion-tracking devices (including thermal imaging, remote cameras, seismic and telemetry devices) within the same calendar day as hunting to preserve 'fair chase.' FWP and sportsmen's groups supported the measure; committee debate focused on definitions, enforcement and whether 'calendar day' is sufficient.
Senator Pat Flowers (Senate District 31) told the Senate Fish and Game Committee that Senate Bill 63 would prohibit the use of motion-tracking devices while hunting within the same calendar day and would bar relaying information from such devices to another person as an aid in hunting. "One of the underlying foundations for hunting in our country and for sure in Montana is the concept of fair chase," Flowers said, explaining the bill’s purpose and reading the Fish and Wildlife Commission rule–based definition of motion-tracking technology.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks law enforcement chief Ron Howell testified the bill closes a loophole where hunters could use thermal or other detection devices before legal hours to locate animals and then…
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