House Bill No. [insert 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 include new language that mandates the commission to authorize a wolf hunting season with an unlimited quota, which will remain in effect until the wolf population is at or below 650 wolves. Additionally, the commission has the authority to close the hunting season only during May and June to account for denning and whelping periods.

The bill also includes provisions for the commission to declare closed seasons on any species threatened with undue depletion and allows for the adjustment of hunting regulations based on regional recommendations. Other amendments clarify the commission's authority to manage hunting seasons and establish a special muzzleloader heritage hunting season. Furthermore, a new section on severability is introduced, ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining valid parts will still be enforceable.

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: 87-1-304