SB 427 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provide trapping setback distances for certain roads and trails

SB 427 establishes minimum distance requirements for trapping on Montana's public lands near developed areas. It requires trappers to set traps at least 50 feet from roads/trails, 1,000 feet from campgrounds/recreation sites (including boat ramps), and 300 feet from trailheads (with 1,000 feet for lethal traps). The bill directly affects trappers operating on public lands, particularly those near popular recreation areas, and gives the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to adjust these distances in high-use zones. The provisions aim to reduce conflicts between trapping activities and public recreation by creating physical buffers around developed sites.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0427_2(1).pdf SB0427_2(2).pdf · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill amends wolf trapping setback rules to require larger distances from recreational areas and specific trail types, while adding exemptions for roads closed to motor vehicles. It also updates the Wildlife Commission's powers to include managing elk populations based on habitat estimates and considering landowner tolerance when restricting hunting.
Scope change
The scope of wolf trapping restrictions was expanded to cover more recreational sites and specific trail categories, but narrowed by adding exemptions for certain snowmobile-only roads. The commission's authority was expanded to include specific elk population management duties.
REQUIREMENT

Wolf trapping setbacks were increased to 1,000 feet from designated trailheads, campgrounds, and recreation sites accessible by highway vehicles, and 500 feet from high-recreational-use trails.

A new exemption was added allowing wolf trapping setbacks to not apply to roads closed year-round to motor vehicles and off-highway vehicles that are only accessible by snowmobile.

The Wildlife Commission is now required to manage elk, deer, and antelope populations based on habitat estimates and maintain numbers at or below those estimates.

DEFINITION

A new definition of 'landowner tolerance' was added, defining it as a landowner's written or verbal opinion on the impact of hunting restrictions on their property.

ELIGIBILITY

The commission's authority to approve land acquisitions and transfers was modified to include specific statutory exceptions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

3217
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Mar 7, 2025
D Democratic18
17 Yea 1
94% Yea
R Republican32
15 Yea 17 Nay
53% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
3
Committee
4
Amendments
1
Apr 8, 2025
Amended
(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (32-17-1)
senate
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Willis Curdy
Willis Curdy
DDemocratic
MT
49