HB 328 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Allow hunter over 75 years to use general elk license for cow elk

HB 328 revises hunting license regulations for Montana residents aged 75 and older. This bill allows these senior hunters to use a general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk, commonly known as a cow elk. This provision applies during any season in hunting districts where youth under 15 are also permitted to harvest antlerless elk. This expanded use of the general elk license for antlerless elk is specifically allowed on privately owned land.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0328_1(8).pdf HB0328_X.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill amends Montana's hunting regulations to allow residents aged 75 and older to use general elk licenses to harvest antlerless elk on private land in specific districts. Previously, these seniors were restricted to using special discounted licenses for this purpose. The change expands hunting opportunities for older residents while maintaining restrictions to youth hunting zones and private property.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of hunting privileges for residents over 75, allowing them to use general elk licenses instead of being limited to discounted licenses for antlerless elk harvests.
ELIGIBILITY

Residents aged 75 and older are now permitted to use general elk licenses to harvest antlerless elk, replacing the previous restriction to discounted licenses.

The expanded hunting privileges are limited to privately owned land and hunting districts where youth under 15 are allowed to harvest antlerless elk.

REQUIREMENT

The bill clarifies that the new hunting privileges apply during any season in the specified districts.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 10, 2025 · House Feb 18, 2025

How they voted

462
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 10, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
28 Yea 2 Nay 2
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
10
Committee
7
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-2-2)
senate
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Mar 1, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 18, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (97-2-1)
house
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Caleb Hinkle
Caleb Hinkle
RRepublican
MT
68