House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to empower the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks with the authority to oversee the collection of naturally shed antlers and horns from various game animals, specifically elk, deer, and antelope, while excluding mountain sheep. The bill introduces two new licenses: a Class F-1 resident shed collecting license priced at $10 and a Class F-2 nonresident shed collecting license at $50. These licenses permit holders to collect and possess antlers and horns from animals that died of natural causes, with a stipulation that nonresidents must adhere to a waiting period. Additionally, landowners and their immediate families are exempt from needing a license for collection on their own property.

The legislation also amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to incorporate new definitions and regulations regarding shed collecting. It establishes that the Department will create rules for managing the collection and possession of shed antlers and horns, prioritizing residents over nonresidents in certain areas. Furthermore, the bill requires a conservation license for anyone wishing to purchase or apply for a shed collecting license, alongside existing hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses. It mandates a biennial report from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to the legislature on conservation license sales and revenue, with the first report due by January 1, 2027. The bill also clarifies unlawful possession and transportation of game animals, enhancing penalties for violations related to the illegal sale or exchange of wildlife.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-1-201, 87-1-304, 87-2-101, 87-2-106, 87-2-201, 87-2-202, 87-6-202, 87-6-206
HB0353_1(1): 87-1-201, 87-1-304, 87-2-101, 87-2-106, 87-2-201, 87-2-202, 87-6-202, 87-6-206
HB0353_1(2): 87-1-201, 87-1-304, 87-2-101, 87-2-106, 87-2-201, 87-2-202, 87-6-202, 87-6-206
HB0353_1: 87-1-201, 87-1-304, 87-2-101, 87-2-106, 87-2-201, 87-2-202, 87-6-202, 87-6-206