House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to create restrictions on the closure of mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November, establishing it as the "November Mule Deer Buck Hunt Protection Act." The bill emphasizes the importance of preserving the tradition of hunting mule deer bucks during the rut period, which is significant for many Montana families. It recognizes that while doe harvest is a critical factor in managing mule deer populations, the harvest of mule deer bucks is not as impactful. The bill seeks to maintain hunting opportunities while allowing for population management in specific hunting districts.

To implement these restrictions, the bill amends Section 87-1-304 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) by inserting provisions that prevent the commission from closing mule deer buck hunting in more than 20% of hunting districts in a given season, for more than two years within a six-year period in any one district, or before November 6 in any district. Additionally, it clarifies that these new restrictions do not apply to any existing district restrictions on mule deer buck hunting that were in place prior to December 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-1-304
HB0139_1(1): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(2): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(3): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(4): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(5): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(6): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(7): 87-1-304
HB0139_1(8): 87-1-304
HB0139_1: 87-1-304
HB0139_2(1): 87-1-304
HB0139_2(2): 87-1-304
HB0139_2(3): 87-1-304
HB0139_2(4): 87-1-304
HB0139_2(5): 87-1-304
HB0139_2(6): 87-1-304
HB0139_2: 87-1-304