Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Montana committee hears bill to shift hunter-orange rules to Fish, Wildlife and Parks commission
Summary
Supporters urged HB347 to modernize hunter-orange rules by giving Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and its commission authority to set species- and season-specific requirements; opponents warned relaxing the statutory 400-square-inch standard could raise mistaken-for-game incidents and harm businesses that supply blaze-orange gear.
Representative Gary Perry introduced HB347 on the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee floor, saying the bill would repeal the current statute on hunter orange and give the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to set rules tailored by season and species. "This bill would simply repeal the current statute relative to Hunter Orange and give the Fish and Wildlife Commission the authority to set those rules," Perry said, noting the current Montana standard requires 400 square inches of orange above the waist during firearm seasons.
Proponents — including Rob Arnaud, executive director of the Montana Conservation Society, outfitters, former wardens and hunter-education instructors — told the committee the bill would preserve safety while allowing the commission to craft rules that reflect different…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
