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Bill

HB 71

Revise special license requirements allowing second lion license and removing Tendoy sheep reporting

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Shannon Maness

Montana bill would have permitted dual lion licenses per season and removed Tendoy sheep harvest reporting requirements for wildlife monitoring purposes.

(S) Died in Standing Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 71

Legislative bill overview

HB 71 would have modified Montana's hunting license regulations by allowing hunters to obtain a second lion (mountain lion) license in a single season and eliminating mandatory reporting requirements for Tendoy sheep harvests. The bill died in the Senate Fish and Game Committee during the 2025 legislative session.

Why is this important

Lion population management relies on harvest data to ensure sustainable hunting practices and prevent overharvesting in specific regions. Tendoy sheep reporting requirements serve similar wildlife monitoring functions. These changes could have affected Montana's ability to track predator populations and manage bighorn sheep herds through scientific data collection.

Potential points of contention

  • Wildlife management data loss: Eliminating Tendoy sheep reporting removes visibility into harvest patterns that inform conservation decisions and population assessments
  • Lion population pressure: Allowing two lion licenses per season could increase harvest rates, potentially affecting ecosystem balance if populations are already at targeted levels
  • Regional conservation equity: Different hunting regions may experience disproportionate impacts depending on existing lion populations and hunter density

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

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