MT SB514

Montana residents may begin hunting upland game birds, including ring-necked pheasant, 10 days before nonresidents on public lands and lands enrolled in hunting access programs

Mountain grouse (blue grouse, spruce/Franklin grouse, and ruffed grouse) are excluded from the resident-priority hunting provision

The resident-only period does not apply to privately owned lands that are not part of a state hunting access program

Amends Section 87-1-304, MCA, governing the Fish and Wildlife Commission's authority to fix hunting seasons and bag limits

Effective date: March 1, 2026