FYI
Representative Forrest Mandeville (HD 57, Columbus) has introduced HB 176, “An act allowing crossbows while hunting during any archery season.”
The essence of the bill is to place restrictions on Commission authority to regulate equipment. Additionally, the sponsor has amended a number of sections to include crossbows wherever bows and arrows are allowed.
The most significant change is to Section 87-1-301, MCA, which is amended to read:
87-1-301. Powers of commission. (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), the commission may adopt rules regarding the use and type of archery equipment that may be employed for hunting and fishing purposes, taking into account applicable standards as technical innovations in archery equipment change. (b) The commission may not prohibit the use of a crossbow for hunting during any season or in any area in which archery equipment may be used.
As many of you are aware, similar legislation has passed in other states under the guise of enhancing hunter recruitment. Proponents often cite several justifications for allowing the inclusion of crossbows into archery seasons, including accommodations for the physical limitations of youth, women, and hunters 65 and older, the accommodation of disabled archers, and simply because hunters want an easier entry point into archery-only seasons. Montana hunters seek out bowhunting opportunities for the challenge, not because they want an easier path. We already provide accommodations for bowhunters with disabilities through the Permit To Modify Archery Equipment. Allowing crossbows within archery seasons will open the door to further intrusion of other weapons into archery seasons, such as muzzleloaders. This change would likely result in overcrowding in some areas as hunters adopt the crossbow in order to hunt the early season with a weapon that is closely akin to a rifle.
Please contact each member of the House FWP Committee. Prepare testimony based on your personal experiences in order to best convey to committee members why you do not support these changes.
Alternately, you can call the general legislative number to leave a message for a representative at (406) 444-4800.
Representative Forrest Mandeville (HD 57, Columbus) has introduced HB 176, “An act allowing crossbows while hunting during any archery season.”
The essence of the bill is to place restrictions on Commission authority to regulate equipment. Additionally, the sponsor has amended a number of sections to include crossbows wherever bows and arrows are allowed.
The most significant change is to Section 87-1-301, MCA, which is amended to read:
87-1-301. Powers of commission. (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), the commission may adopt rules regarding the use and type of archery equipment that may be employed for hunting and fishing purposes, taking into account applicable standards as technical innovations in archery equipment change. (b) The commission may not prohibit the use of a crossbow for hunting during any season or in any area in which archery equipment may be used.
As many of you are aware, similar legislation has passed in other states under the guise of enhancing hunter recruitment. Proponents often cite several justifications for allowing the inclusion of crossbows into archery seasons, including accommodations for the physical limitations of youth, women, and hunters 65 and older, the accommodation of disabled archers, and simply because hunters want an easier entry point into archery-only seasons. Montana hunters seek out bowhunting opportunities for the challenge, not because they want an easier path. We already provide accommodations for bowhunters with disabilities through the Permit To Modify Archery Equipment. Allowing crossbows within archery seasons will open the door to further intrusion of other weapons into archery seasons, such as muzzleloaders. This change would likely result in overcrowding in some areas as hunters adopt the crossbow in order to hunt the early season with a weapon that is closely akin to a rifle.
Please contact each member of the House FWP Committee. Prepare testimony based on your personal experiences in order to best convey to committee members why you do not support these changes.
Alternately, you can call the general legislative number to leave a message for a representative at (406) 444-4800.
