This bill revises existing laws concerning the unlawful use of aircraft for hunting, specifically by including game birds in the list of protected species. It extends the waiting period after using an aircraft to locate game from the same calendar day to 24 hours, and it introduces a ban on possessing unmanned aerial vehicles while hunting. The bill also increases fines and penalties for violations, with fines for unlawful use of aircraft ranging from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the offense, and establishes a mandatory license forfeiture period of 36 months for convicted individuals.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 87-6-208 of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify the definitions of "aircraft" and "hunt," and it specifies that the provisions do not apply during emergency situations, search and rescue operations, or when supporting agricultural operations. The bill includes a coordination instruction to avoid conflicts with other legislation and sets effective dates for its provisions, with certain sections becoming effective on January 1, 2027, and a termination date for specific provisions 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(3): 87-6-208
HB0202_3(4): 87-6-208
HB0202_3: 87-6-208
HB0202_X(1): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(2): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(3): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(4): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(5): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(6): 87-6-208
HB0202_X(7): 87-6-208
HB0202_X: 87-6-208