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Bill

HB 95

Revise law related to damage-based muskrat and beaver harvesting

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Paul Fielder

Montana law now eases harvesting restrictions for muskrats and beavers causing property damage, allowing faster wildlife control by landowners and managers.

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Bill Summary · HB 95

Legislative bill overview

HB 95 revises Montana's laws governing the harvesting of muskrats and beavers when they cause damage to property, infrastructure, or agricultural operations. The bill updates regulations to streamline the process for landowners and wildlife managers to address damage caused by these animals through modified harvesting rules and procedures.

Why is this important

Muskrats and beavers can cause significant economic damage through burrowing that weakens dams and levees, flooding agricultural land, and destroying irrigation infrastructure. This law provides landowners and resource managers clearer, potentially more efficient tools to mitigate wildlife damage while balancing conservation concerns and wildlife management practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Conservation vs. control trade-off: Environmental groups may worry that relaxed harvesting regulations could reduce beaver and muskrat populations beyond sustainable levels, particularly since beavers play important ecological roles in water systems and wetland habitats
  • Regulatory clarity and oversight: Questions may arise about how "damage-based" harvesting is defined and monitored to prevent abuse or unnecessary killing of wildlife outside legitimate damage situations
  • Competing water management interests: Beaver dam removal for flood control may conflict with water conservation needs or environmental restoration goals in some regions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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