Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB202: Generally revise laws related to the unlawful use of aircraft for hunting
Status: Chaptered, June 16, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising laws related to the use of aircraft for hunting; including game birds in the protected species; extending the waiting period after use of an aircraft; banning the possession of unmanned aerial vehicles while hunting; increasing fines and penalties; amending section 87-6-208, mca; and providing effective dates and a termination date.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE USE OF AIRCRAFT FOR HUNTING; INCLUDING GAME BIRDS IN THE PROTECTED SPECIES; EXTENDING THE WAITING PERIOD AFTER USE OF AN AIRCRAFT; BANNING THE POSSESSION OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES WHILE HUNTING; INCREASING FINES AND PENALTIES; AMENDING SECTION 87-6-208, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES AND A TERMINATION DATE. Section 1. Section 87-6-208, MCA, is amended to read: "87-6-208. Unlawful use of aircraft. (1) Except as provided in 87-3-126, a person may (b) use an aircraft: hunt any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal within 24 hours after utilizing an aircraft to locate or spot any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal; (i) to locate any game animal for the purpose of hunting that animal during the same calendar day within 48 hours after using the (ii)(c) utilize an aircraft for the purpose of concentrating, pursuing, driving, rallying, or stirring up any game bird, migratory bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal; or (c)(d) if in or using utilizing an aircraft, spot or locate any game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal and communicate the location of the game bird, game animal, or fur-bearing animal to any person: (i) on the ground by means of any air-to-ground communication signal or other device as an aid to hunting or pursuing wildlife; or (ii) within the same …
Sponsors
- Sprunger, Courtenay (R, 7) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Veto Override
- : (H) Veto Override Vote in Progress
- : (H) Vetoed by Governor
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
Votes
- Do Concur (April 17, 2025): 98 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 16, 2025): 94 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 12, 2025): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 11, 2025): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 6, 2025): 99 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 5, 2025): 100 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Fish
Common questions
- What is HB202?
- HB202 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise laws related to the unlawful use of aircraft for hunting.
- What does HB202 do?
- In its own words: An act revising laws related to the use of aircraft for hunting; including game birds in the protected species; extending the waiting period after use of an aircraft; banning the possession of unmanned aerial vehicles while hunting; increasing fines and penalties; amending section 87-6-208, mca; and providing effective dates and a termination date.
- What is the status of HB202?
- Chaptered as of June 16, 2025. Latest action: (H) Veto Override (June 16, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB202?
- Sprunger, Courtenay (R, 7).
- Where is the official record for HB202?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3165
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.