PRIA Logo™
119-s-3527119th Congress

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would remove wilderness study status for three Montana tracts to expand public access and sportsmen opportunities. It would shift the Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, and Wales Creek areas to management under existing Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management plans so managers can use multiple-use rules to improve access, habitat, and wildfire mitigation.

Show full summary
  • Sportsmen and outdoor users: Access to about 104,000 acres across the three areas would be managed to expand backcountry recreation and public access under standard land management plans.
  • Local managers and nearby communities: The Forest Service and BLM would manage each tract under the applicable, collaboratively developed land or resource management plan, giving agencies more flexibility for local projects and input.
  • Wildlife and wildfire management: Removing the wilderness study restrictions would allow targeted habitat improvements and wildfire mitigation consistent with environmental laws and the adopted plans.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More access on Montana public lands

If enacted, the bill would remove wilderness-study status for three Montana areas: Middle Fork Judith (about 81,000 acres), Hoodoo Mountain (about 11,380 acres), and Wales Creek (about 11,580 acres). Those lands would be managed under the Forest Service or BLM land-use plans most recently adopted for each area instead of WSA rules. This would allow managers to pursue more public and sportsmen access, wildlife habitat work, and wildfire-mitigation projects under existing environmental laws. The bill would not change federal taxes or household benefit programs.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Daines, Steve [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation