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Panel hears bill to bar motion-tracking devices from use the same calendar day as hunting
Summary
Senate Bill 63, sponsored by Sen. Pat Flowers, would prohibit using motion-tracking devices (including thermal imaging and certain telemetry) within the same calendar day as hunting and extend the ban beyond big-game to furbearers and game birds; supporters said the measure closes an enforcement loophole while some witnesses urged a longer blackout period.
The Senate Fish and Game Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 63, sponsored by Sen. Pat Flowers (SD 31), a measure that would prohibit the use of motion-tracking devices while hunting within the same calendar day and bar relaying location information from such devices to other people as an aid in hunting.
Flowers told the committee the intent is to preserve "fair chase" as technology advances. "We wanna make sure we maintain fair chase," he said, explaining the bill would include thermal imaging and satellite or radio telemetry devices as defined by Fish and Wildlife Commission rule.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' chief of law enforcement, Ron Howell, testified in support and framed SB 63 as closing a…
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