Large Predator Law Now In Effect in Montana

A batch of new state laws took effect on October 1st here in Montana, including laws regarding the use of AI by government officers and new car seat regulations.  Another new law covers wildlife relocations made by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

What's the new law about?

The new law (really an amendment to MCA Section 87-1-217), Montana House Bill 648, is mostly about ensuring prompt notification of local officials when FWP moves a dangerous animal across county or tribal borders.

Under the new law, when FWP relocates a large predator, which in Montana is defined as wolves, mountain lions, and bears, if the animal is being moved across county or tribal boundaries from where it was captured, FWP must provide verbal and written notice to local officials like sheriffs, county commissioners, and tribal governments within 24 hours.

Didn't FWP already have to notify everyone when they relocate a bear?

Yes, and for years, MT FWP has also posted notifications on their website, but the point of the law is to ensure the relevant local officials are informed directly in a reasonable time frame.

MT FWP knew this law was coming, so they started putting the requirement into practice this summer and even rolled out a new tool on the FWP website to visually display information about the relocations.

Now, although the new law includes wolves and mountain lions in the definition of "large predators", MT FWP typically only performs relocations of bears, both black and grizzly.