House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise the management and hunting regulations for gray wolves and furbearers in Montana. The bill redefines gray wolves as furbearers and introduces new regulations, including the establishment of Class E-1 and Class E-2 licenses for resident and nonresident hunters, respectively. It also outlines specific tagging offenses for gray wolves, prohibits hunting fur-bearing animals within city limits and from public highways, and forbids the waste of gray wolf heads or pelts in the field. The bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate these changes and establishes penalties for violations, including fines and potential forfeiture of hunting licenses.

Additionally, the bill repeals existing provisions related to resident and nonresident wolf licenses, indicating a significant shift in the management of wolf hunting in the state. It emphasizes the necessity of obtaining landowner permission before hunting on private property and outlines penalties for violations, including fines and restitution for property damage. Overall, the proposed changes aim to enhance the conservation and management of gray wolves while ensuring responsible hunting practices and protecting public safety.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-127, 87-2-601, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1(1): 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1(2): 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1(3): 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1(4): 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1(5): 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603
HB0101_1: 87-1-901, 87-2-101, 87-2-602, 87-2-603, 87-4-1001, 87-5-131, 87-6-101, 87-6-401, 87-6-402, 87-6-403, 87-6-405, 87-6-415, 87-6-603