Fish and Wildlife
The Senate Fish and Game Committee voted 7-4 along party lines to advance a bill directing where captured grizzly bears may be released by the state.
Senate Bill 337 from Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, says that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks may only relocate grizzly bears to locations approved by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, and if a âconflictâ bear is captured outside of a federal recovery zone, the state may not relocated the bear and must turn it over to federal authorities.
FWP testified in favor of the bill, saying it would offer a more transparent process. Opponents felt the bill would cause greater confusion and limit options for state wildlife managers.