Bill > HB139

This bill establishes new restrictions on how and when Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission can close mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November. Specifically, the bill limits the commission's ability to close mule deer buck hunting by preventing closures in more than 20% of hunting districts in a given season, prohibiting closures in any single hunting district for more than 2 years within a 6-year period, and preventing closures in any hunting district before November 6. The bill's preamble explains that mule deer buck harvest is not a major factor in population management, and highlights the importance of preserving Montana's longstanding hunting traditions, particularly family traditions around hunting during the deer rut period (mating season). The legislation acknowledges that harvesting mature bucks during the rut provides hunters with better opportunities to hunt, and ensures that hunters can continue their generational hunting practices, especially those that culminate around Thanksgiving. The bill is officially named the "November Mule Deer Buck Hunt Protection Act" and amends section 87-1-304 of Montana's legal code to codify these new hunting district closure limitations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1271