The proposed "Montana Hunters First Act" aims to address the impacts of nonresident hunting on deer and elk populations in Montana. The bill mandates the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to conduct a comprehensive study assessing various factors such as hunter days, harvest reporting, and hunting pressure on public lands. This study will culminate in a publicly accessible report by December 1, 2026, which will include an assessment of nonresident impacts, data collection methods, and issues for legislative consideration.

Additionally, the bill introduces mandatory reporting requirements for individuals holding hunting licenses for game animals, stipulating that hunters must report their activity before being eligible to purchase a new license in the following year. The Department is granted rulemaking authority to establish reporting systems and deadlines. The provisions of the bill are set to take effect upon passage, with the reporting requirement becoming effective on March 1, 2026, and the study terminating on December 31, 2026.