The Montana Legislature has passed a significant bill that allows upland bird hunters to start their season 10 days earlier than nonresidents in 2026, pending the governor’s signature. Senate Bill 514, which also addresses concerns over nonresident hunters crowding local favorites and habitat funding, is part of a larger legislative effort that included 191 bills related to fish and wildlife this session.
In addition to the early access for residents, new funding measures from the session are poised to enhance wildlife habitats and public access to hunting lands, including an increase in Block Management funding. Activists and lawmakers believe these measures will revitalize interest in upland bird hunting, which has seen a decline in recent years. To learn more about the legislative changes that could impact Montana’s hunting landscape, click the link below.
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