Committee approves bill imposing stiffer penalties on hunters who enter private property without permission

HELENA — The House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee approved a bill earlier this session, that significantly strengthens penalties for hunters who trespass on private property.

Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, is sponsoring House Bill 108. It adds teeth to a current law directing hunters to obtain landowner permission before entering private property. It also makes the penalties for violations harsher.

Loge says the measure is inspired by his work on FWP’s Private Land/Public Wildlife Council and conversations he’s had with ranchers who are frustrated by repeat trespassing offenders.

“Some ran...