A bill that would designate California quail and Gambel’s quail as game birds in Montana has passed a third reading in the Montana House of Representatives. The bill has moved to the Senate.
HB 57, introduced by Rep. Paul Fielder (Republican, Thompson Falls), would add the non-native quail as a game species.
Current regulations state: California and Gambel’s Quail
These non-native species are now found throughout portions
of Montana. The Montana F&W Commission has designated
California and Gambel’s quail as prohibited species, which
means:
feral California and Gambel’s quail may be taken without
license, season, or limit.
possession, sale, purchase, exchange, or transport of live birds
in Montana is prohibited.
