The Montana Hunters First Act establishes a comprehensive study to assess the impacts of nonresident hunting on the state's deer and elk populations, as well as the overall hunting season structure. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is tasked with conducting this study, which will analyze various data points, including hunter days, harvest reporting, and hunting pressure on public lands. The study aims to address concerns regarding the increasing nonresident hunting license sales, declining hunter success rates, and the reduction of private land enrolled in the block management program.
Upon completion, the department is required to publish a report by December 1, 2026, detailing the findings and providing recommendations for legislative consideration. The act also includes a termination date of December 31, 2026, for the provisions outlined in the bill. Notably, the bill removes references to upland game bird and waterfowl hunting from the scope of the study, focusing solely on deer and elk.