FWP seeks comment on changes

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) regional staff will hold virtual meetings across the state to discuss potential hunting regulation changes for 2022 and 2023.

These meetings will be held via Zoom and allow the public to hear directly from FWP staff and ask questions about the proposed changes.

The potential hunting regulation changes are available online for the public to review. The potential changes are coming now during the normal biennial season setting year to help make Montana’s hunting regulations simpler and easier to understand.

Over the last several weeks, FWP biologists have worked on these potential changes with a sharp focus on the science behind the regulations. The potential changes focus primarily on deer and elk regulations; some regions have included regulations for other species as well. The potential changes include a reduction in the number of hunting districts (i.e., making them larger) and simplification of license structures.

For Region 1, which includes Sanders County, the open house will be 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 20. Zoom sign-in information will be posted on the FWP website prior to the meeting date. Public comments on the changes will be taken through October 20.

"FWP biologists used their scientific expertise to find ways to reduce the number of hunting districts, simplify season structures and reduce the number of license and permit types, all with a focus on sound deer, elk, and in some cases other species, management," FWP stated on its website. "So far, they’ve used biology to guide the draft changes, but as part of the next step, we need your valuable input. The next drafts will be informed by your feedback."

The commission will decide in dedember what proposed changes will move forward for a 30-day comment period, and the commission will adopt final hunting regulations at their meeting in February 2022.

See the potential changes online at fwp.mt.gov.