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Bill to ban harassment of 'wild animals' with snowmobiles draws questions on livestock exceptions
Summary
Rep. Debo Powers' HB 661 would expand Montana's anti‑harassment statute to cover all 'wild animals' and explicitly include snowmobiles; supporters praised protections for winter‑stressed wildlife while livestock and wool‑grower groups asked for exemptions for nonlethal predator control.
Representative Debo Powers introduced HB 661, a short bill to expand the statute that bans harassment of wildlife by vehicle or device to cover all ‘‘wild animals’’ (except alternative livestock) and to add snowmobiles explicitly to the list of covered devices. "If someone chases a wild animal with a snowmobile in the dead of winter...the animal may have expended so much energy...that it jeopardizes its ability to live through a harsh winter," Powers said, urging passage on ethical and conservation grounds.
Proponents — including Montana Audubon and conservation groups — said the bill fills a gap for wintering animals vulnerable to disturbance. Testimony from Dr. Suzanne Hildner and other conservationists described aircraft, ATVs and snowmachines harassing elk and other species and urged the committee to pass the bill.
Opponents, led by the Montana Wool Growers Association, warned that the bill could unintentionally limit nonlethal predator‑control methods (drones, ATVs) used to protect livestock. Callie Michaels, representing wool growers, asked for a livestock‑protection exemption; committee members discussed possible friendly amendments to clarify that the bill does not curtail legitimate livestock protection or other established nonlethal management practices.
FWP law enforcement chief Ron Howell testified as an informational witness and confirmed the statute’s definitions (citing MCA 87‑6‑101) and that interpretation will rely on intent and a rule of reasonableness. The sponsor and opponents indicated they would work on an amendment to protect livestock owners and their authorized agents engaged in livestock protection.
