House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes the establishment of a year-round open wolf hunting season in Montana, with the provision that the season may be closed if the wolf population falls to or below a specified threshold. The bill amends Section 87-1-304 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to allow the commission to authorize a wolf hunting season with an unlimited quota, which will remain open until the wolf population is at or below 650 wolves. Additionally, the commission may close the hunting season only during May and June to account for denning and whelping periods.

The bill also includes several amendments to existing regulations regarding hunting seasons and bag limits. Notably, it clarifies that the commission can declare a closed season on any species threatened with undue depletion and can authorize the director to open or close special seasons with 12 hours' notice. Furthermore, the bill establishes a new section on severability, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining valid parts will still be in effect.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-1-304
HB0222_1(1): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(2): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(3): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(4): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(5): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(6): 87-1-304
HB0222_1(7): 87-1-304
HB0222_1: 87-1-304
HB0222_2(1): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(2): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(3): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(4): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(5): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(6): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(7): 87-1-304
HB0222_2(8): 87-1-304
HB0222_2: 87-1-304