House Bill No. aims to revise existing laws related to wolf hunting in Montana. The bill mandates the Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish a wolf hunting season that aligns with the spring bear hunting season, ensuring that the hunting periods for both species coincide. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for setting wolf harvest quotas and bag limits, specifically establishing a quota of two wolves and a bag limit of one wolf within 15 miles of the borders of Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. The bill also allows for the commission to authorize a wolf trapping season that begins the first Monday after Thanksgiving and ends on March 15 of the following year, with the flexibility to adjust dates based on regional recommendations.

The bill amends Section 87-1-304 of the Montana Code Annotated, making several deletions and insertions to clarify the commission's authority regarding hunting regulations. Notably, it removes the requirement for the commission to set specific quotas and bag limits during the wolf hunting season, instead allowing for more general authority to manage these aspects. The language changes also include the removal of references to illegally harvested wolves counting against the established quotas, while emphasizing the commission's role in managing hunting seasons and quotas effectively. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the management of wolf populations while providing structured hunting opportunities.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-1-304
HB0258_1(1): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(2): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(3): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(4): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(5): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(6): 87-1-304
HB0258_1(7): 87-1-304
HB0258_1: 87-1-304
HB0258_2(1): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(10): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(11): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(12): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(2): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(3): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(4): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(5): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(6): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(7): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(8): 87-1-304
HB0258_2(9): 87-1-304
HB0258_2: 87-1-304
HB0258_3(1): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(10): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(11): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(12): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(13): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(14): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(15): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(16): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(2): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(3): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(4): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(5): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(6): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(7): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(8): 87-1-304
HB0258_3(9): 87-1-304
HB0258_3: 87-1-304