House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning the use of aircraft for hunting in Montana. The bill removes the term "unlawful" from the title and introduces new provisions that include game birds as protected species. It extends the waiting period after using an aircraft to hunt any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal to 24 hours and prohibits the possession of unmanned aerial vehicles while hunting. Additionally, the bill increases fines and penalties for violations, with specific amounts outlined for different types of wildlife, and establishes a 36-month license forfeiture period for convicted individuals.

The bill amends Section 87-6-208 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify the definitions of "aircraft" and "hunt," and it specifies the penalties for violations, which can include fines ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 depending on the type of animal involved. The bill also outlines exceptions to these provisions for emergency situations, search and rescue operations, predator control, and agricultural support. The effective date for most provisions is upon passage and approval, while certain sections will take effect on January 1, 2027, and a termination date is set for December 31, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-6-208
HB0202_1(1): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(2): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(3): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(4): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(5): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(6): 87-6-208
HB0202_1(7): 87-6-208
HB0202_1: 87-6-208
HB0202_2(1): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(10): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(11): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(12): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(13): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(2): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(3): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(4): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(5): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(6): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(7): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(8): 87-6-208
HB0202_2(9): 87-6-208
HB0202_2: 87-6-208
HB0202_3(1): 87-6-208
HB0202_3(2): 87-6-208
HB0202_3: 87-6-208