A proposed bill that would allow deer and elk hunting on private land within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation will be heard by the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Jan. 28.
HB 126 proposes “(a) The commission shall establish rules to issue licenses for deer and elk to owners of fee land within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian reservation. (b) Licenses issued pursuant to this section are only valid for hunting on land owned by the license holder within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian reservation. (c) Pursuant to 87-1-228, the department shall pursue an agreement with the council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes of the Flathead Indian reservation to transfer to the council revenue generated by the sale of licenses pursuant to this section.”
The bill is introduced by a dozen lawmakers.
Oppositions groups are already spreading word of the hearing, with Western Native Voice and the Montana Wildlife Federation both making posts on Thursday to encourage people to attend the meeting.
The hearing will take place at 3 p.m. in room 172.
