Senate Bill No. 52

Introduced By crismore

By Request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks



A Bill for an Act entitled: "An Act clarifying the authority of the fish, wildlife, and parks commission to allow and regulate mountain lion and bobcat chase seasons; amending section 87-3-124, MCA; and providing an immediate effective date."



Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Montana:



Section 1.  Section 87-3-124, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-3-124.   Restrictions on hunting with dogs. (1) (a) Except as provided in 87-3-127 and subsection (2) of this section, no a person may not chase with dogs any of the game or fur-bearing animals as defined by the fish and game laws of this state.

(b)  A person may take game birds during the appropriate open season with the aid of a dog or dogs. Any person or association organized for the protection of game may run field trials at any time upon obtaining written permission from the director.

(c)  Any peace officer, game warden, or other person authorized to enforce the Montana fish and game laws who witnesses any dog attacking or killing hooved game animals may destroy that dog without criminal or civil liability.

(2)  The department shall have commission has authority to allow and regulate the use of dogs for hunting and chasing mountain lion and bobcat."



NEW SECTION. Section 2.  Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.

-END-