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Commissioners and residents debate hunting‑season camping, enforcement and business opportunities
Summary
Residents described hunters camping on roadways and causing safety and wildfire concerns; commissioners discussed enforcement limits, short‑term rental bed‑tax compliance and whether to market hunting visitors to boost local spending.
At a Daniels County commission meeting, residents urged the county to address impacts from out‑of‑area hunters who congregate on state lands and sometimes camp along county roads. One local resident described campers who “stay on the roadways…in the middle of the road” and asked whether the county could better enforce trespass and camping rules.
Planners and commissioners discussed options the county could pursue in the growth policy and associated implementation table: ensure short‑term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO) and county campgrounds collect bed tax; coordinate marketing and behavioral expectations with Great Northern Development Corporation (GNDC); and explore limited fees for non‑resident vehicles on county roads (a county use fee) though staff warned enforcement would be difficult.
Why it matters: hunting season draws sizable out‑of‑state visitors who spend locally on lodging, restaurants and fuel but also create enforcement challenges and safety risks when they camp outside designated campgrounds. Residents said the economic benefit is concentrated in private businesses and undercuts county tax revenue because Montana lacks local sales taxes.
Speakers emphasized a pragmatic approach. "If you can find ways to get along with them and get them to spend their money in the county, that's great—but you need them to follow the rules," a local speaker said. Commissioners recommended the growth policy consider outreach materials, bed‑tax compliance checks for short‑term rentals, and coordination with law enforcement to address illegal roadside camping.
No formal action was taken; planners said they will include these topics in the survey and in suggested implementation steps so the county can evaluate enforcement options and marketing coordination with GNDC and the City of Scobby.
Next steps: Interstate Engineering will add questions about tourism, short‑term rentals and enforcement to the fall survey and propose implementation steps in the draft plan.
