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Sponsor seeks to limit commission changes to November mule-deer rut hunting; opponents say it ties managers' hands
Summary
HB 139 would constrain how the Fish and Wildlife Commission can close November mule-deer buck hunting in general units, capping closures and limiting permanent removal of rut opportunity. Supporters cited tradition and regional population data; opponents said the statute would reduce commission flexibility and should be addressed through commission-led planning.
Representative Jedidiah Hinkle introduced House Bill 139 as an effort to preserve Montana’s opportunity to hunt mule deer bucks during the November rut while still allowing the Fish and Wildlife Commission other management tools. "House Bill 139 is about protecting the opportunity to hunt mule deer during the rut, all while allowing the commission to continue use every tool that they have historically used to manage our herds," Hinkle said.
Supporters—ranging from the Outdoor Heritage Coalition to individual hunters—testified that rut hunting is a long-standing family tradition and warned that a permanent removal of November opportunity would be difficult to reverse. Online and in-person proponents urged the committee to grant the bill a due pass to protect tradition and public-land hunters who lack private land access.
Opponents—including Montana Wildlife Federation, MeatEater’s conservation director, and several conservation organizations—argued HB 139 would inappropriately place rigid constraints into statute and reduce the commission’s ability to respond to scientific findings, disease outbreaks such as chronic wasting disease (CWD), drought, or localized declines. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation said the state needs a comprehensive mule-deer management plan and urged the committee to let the commission and its advisory groups conduct public vetting.
During extended questioning, FWP’s Quinn Kujala described the commission’s season-setting process (biannual rulemaking with opportunities for scoping and public comment), the Mule Deer Citizens Advisory Committee composition, and the department’s role in presenting science and options to the commission. Committee members pressed on the bill’s specific sideboards—such as a 20% cap on districts that may be closed in a season and language limiting permanent removal of November rut hunting to prevent statewide blanket change—and asked about the source and interpretation of regional population figures. Hinkle cited regional declines and said some regions have experienced mule-deer decreases in the mid‑20s to high‑30s percent range.
No final votes were recorded. Testimony underscored a policy tradeoff: supporters sought statutory protection for a cultural hunting opportunity, while opponents warned statute-based limits could reduce the commission’s flexibility to act on emergent biological information and management needs. The committee closed the hearing and scheduled further business and upcoming executive action days.
