All Roll Calls
Yes: 367 • No: 226
MontanaHB 25969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Revise fish and wildlife commission techniques for gray wolf management
Sponsored By: Paul Fielder (Republican)
Became Law
Fish and Wildlife
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
More wolf hunting and trapping options
The commission sets wolf hunting and trapping seasons to lower numbers but keep at least 15 breeding pairs. It uses different rules by region and applies the most liberal harvest rules where wolves are most abundant. Hunters may receive more than one Class E-1 or E-2 license, and the commission may allow unlimited wolves under a single hunting or trapping license. Licensed trappers may trap or snare more than one wolf, and may use bait during the trapping season if no trap or snare is within 30 feet of exposed bait visible from above. On private land, hunting outside daylight is allowed with artificial light, night vision, infrared, or thermal scopes.
Yearly wolf management report to lawmakers
The Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports each year to the Environmental Quality Council on wolf management. The report explains how the department and commission carry out the wolf statutes.
Landowners can take wolves on property
A landowner or the landowner’s agent can take a wolf on the landowner’s property at any time without buying a Class E-1 or E-2 license when the wolf is a potential threat to people, livestock, or dogs. They must promptly report the take to the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks and preserve the carcass. The commission sets a yearly quota for these landowner takes and can pause them before the quota is reached. Public land permittees who have livestock depredation may take a wolf on public land without buying a license if they first get a special kill permit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Paul Fielder
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 56 • No: 43
House vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 94 • No: 4
House vote • 3/31/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 32 • No: 18
House vote • 3/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 32 • No: 16
House vote • 2/25/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 56 • No: 44
House vote • 2/24/2025
AMD-HB0259.001.002 Seckinger DO PASS
Yes: 43 • No: 56
House vote • 2/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 54 • No: 45
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
9/29/2025HouseSigned by Governor
9/29/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
9/23/2025HouseSigned by President
9/22/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
9/3/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
8/26/2025HouseChapter Number Assigned
5/8/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/5/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/25/2025HouseSigned by President
4/25/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/23/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/14/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/11/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/11/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
3/31/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
3/31/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
3/28/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/26/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/25/2025SenateHearing
3/15/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/3/2025SenateFirst Reading
2/26/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
2/25/2025House3rd Reading Passed
2/25/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
10/14/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/25/2025
Introduced
1/17/2025