Lawmakers aiming to shape wildlife management in Montana are advancing a number of bills this legislative session that some believe would be better debated by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The commission is a governor-appointed and Senate-confirmed body responsible for adoption of fish and wildlife management policies proposed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Those may range from animal transplants to hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. The body has broad authority to pass regulations on the types of equipment that may be used to harvest fish and wildlife, season timing and length, and bag limits.
The Legislature has the power to pass laws as it sees fit including those on issues that fall under the commissionâs authority. This session, several bills are advancing that would set hunting and trapping seasons and method of take into law, rather than commission-passed regulations. Those include allowing snares for wolf trapping and extended seasons, creating a special heritage muzzleloader season and allowing crossbows for hunters with disabilities during the archery season.