Results of 2002 Tentatives of Interest to Bowhunters

Hunter Orange Requirement 

On February 20th, the Fish and Game Commission rejected a proposal by FWP to drop the "Archery Only" status of the early bowhunting seasons in districts where there is a concurrent early season rifle hunt for deer or elk. The proposal would have required archers within those districts pursuing the targeted species of the damage hunts to wear hunter orange.

By a 3 to 2 vote the commission decided that to single out bowhunters while other recreationists were in the field as well, was unfair, and that responsibility for safety was something that hunters needed to keep in mind. In researching other states laws with similar circumstance, it was noted that no such provisions existed and that problems were insignificant. This will be a great relief to bowhunters, thousands of which would have been affected had the provision been adopted given the increasing number of early season damage hunts taking place all across the state. 

Modified Archers Permit

The MBA proposal, relaxing certain provisions of the current equipment regulations to allow the use of adaptive devices for qualifying disabled persons to be able to participate in the archery only seasons with otherwise legal bowhunting equipment, passed the commission vote unanimously during the final Tentative meeting held February 20th in Helena. There was almost universal agreement that the proposal, drafted by the MBA with help from Access Montana Outdoors and Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, was a huge step in the right direction in correcting this oversight in the regulations and allow participation by disabled folks who may wish to bowhunt big game in Montana. 

Disabled folks wishing to take advantage of the permit may contact FWP and get a copy of the requirements before applying for the permit. Testing and a physician's signature are a part of these, to reduce the incidences of abuse of this permit.