Bill would bar motion‑tracking devices from aiding same‑day hunting; lawmakers debate enforcement window

HELENA — Senate Bill 63, sponsored by Senator Pat Flowers and requested by Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), would prohibit the use of motion‑tracking devices to locate animals and the relaying of that information to hunters within the same calendar day, and would extend the prohibition beyond big game to furbearers, upland game birds and migratory birds.

Flowers said the bill closes a loophole where a hunter could use an electronic device to locate an animal before legal hunting hours and then hunt the same animal when hours open. "This bill simply addresses some new technology that's now available that can locate animals that creates an unfair advantage," Flowers said.

FWP testified in support. Ron Howell, chief of law enforcement for FWP, told the committee the bill "helps to ensure Montana upholds fair chase principles" and recommended a due pass. Howell said devices capable of transmitting real‑time information (including some game cameras, thermal imagers and other telemetry devices) can give hunters an unfair technological advantage if used to locate animals immediately before legal hunting hours.

Conservation and sportsmen's groups largely backed the measure as preserving hunting ethics. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation and representatives of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Montana Sportsman's Alliance urged passage to prevent a modern erosion of fair‑chase practices.

Committee members focused on the time window and enforcement. Several lawmakers argued that 'calendar day' may not capture midnight‑to‑midnight prepositioning of animals and suggested alternatives, such as a 24‑hour or seasonal prohibition; Howell said the department used "calendar day" to match language from a prior aircraft bill for consistency and that enforcement is challenging because the burden of proof rests with the state. He reported the department had issued 13 citations in the last 10 years related to similar issues but said thermal imaging and phone‑based thermal devices are increasingly affordable and common.

Representatives also asked whether some game cameras would be covered; Howell said devices that only store images (no real‑time transmission) would not meet the bill’s motion‑tracking definition, but live‑transmitting devices would. Lawmakers signaled openness to amendments on the time frame and scope but many expressed support for getting a statutory prohibition on the books as a deterrent.

What’s next: The sponsor signaled willingness to accept amendments; the committee closed the hearing on SB 63 without a vote.

Provenance: SB 63 testimonial and questioning appear from the bill introduction at SEG 1025 through the closing remarks at SEG 1613.