Phase 3 - With your help HB419 passed the judicial committee and the full Montana House.  Now we need to send our HOWLS to the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Anti-hunting tactics have long included “litigate and delay,” directly impacting the lawful harvest of fish and game.  While many of these meritless lawsuits are dismissed, the damage done waiting for injunctions and restraining orders to be released is felt by sportsmen, outfitters, and landowners.  Because of acts like the Equal Access to Justice, these radical and special interest groups can file lawsuits without any regard to financial consequences.

HB419, sponsored by Jedidiah Hinkle, would require any individual or organization wishing to file a suit against a lawful hunting, fishing, or trapping activity to post a minimum $50,000 bond.  That amount could be increased up to $1,000,000 by the judge hearing the case.  If the lawsuit is dismissed, damages could be claimed against the bond and reimbursed to affected claimants.  

Recently, Montana’s wolf season was closed for three weeks while a judge considered the merits of a lawsuit against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.  That case was ultimately dismissed and wolf hunting restored to the 2022-23 regulations.  However, hunters lost out on opportunity, outfitters had to refund client fees, and the lawful and biological sound management of wolves was denied.  Under HB419 lawsuits like this would be liable for these losses and the bond used to make them whole.

This bill would require a financial burden from the outset on those who have gone unchecked and interfere with lawful, science-based management of wildlife.  Abuses of the judicial system injure all wildlife and the sportsmen who care deeply about these issues.  Montanans are protected by a constitutional right to harvest wild fish and wild game; this bill would further strengthen that right from spurious attacks.  

READ: HB419 Allow Bonding for Injunctions that Prevent Hunting or Harvesting of Game

CONTACT:  The Montana State Senate Natural Resources Committee

Phase 3 - With your help HB419 passed the judicial committee and the full Montana House.  Now we need to send our HOWLS to the Senate Natural Resources Committee

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