Why It Matters: The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission’s October 9, 2025, virtual meeting addressed current threats to wildlife health, habitat integrity, and hunting season frameworks. These decisions directly influence hunting opportunities, population sustainability, and access for sportsmen and women across the state. By prioritizing science-based adjustments and public input, the Commission reinforces Montana’s commitment to balanced resource management amid growing predation and habitat pressures.
Highlights:
- The Commission approved Fish, Wildlife, and Parks’ request to move forward with the amendment process for chronic wasting disease (CWD) rules under ARM 12.6.1015.
- Several conservation leases aimed at improving riparian and grassland habitats received a green light from the Commission.
- The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) will continue to ensure that the sportsmen’s voice is reflected in future rule updates.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission held a virtual meeting on October 9, 2025, and took decisive steps to confront several pressing wildlife health challenges and habitat conservation needs, underscoring the state’s approach to game management. With sportsmen and women relying on healthy populations and recreational access, these outcomes signal a forward-looking strategy to mitigate risks while protecting Montana’s renowned outdoor heritage. Diseases impacting ungulates were central to the Commission’s agenda. The conversation began with a request from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) to initiate rule-making for ARM 12.6.1015, which governs chronic wasting disease in an effort to create a more durable rule. The Commission voted unanimously to initiate the MAPA rulemaking process, and public comment opportunities will become available prior to the final rule adoption.
In addition to this CWD proposal, FWP shared emerging information on an Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) and Bluetongue disease outbreaks. This late addition to the agenda was prompted by urgent field reports highlighting clusters of white-tailed deer deaths along the Clark Fork River west of Missoula and in the Frenchtown area. The disease, transmitted by biting midges and exacerbated by drought conditions, had prompted FWP to request flexible hunting season modifications limiting the future sale of surplus deer tags (006-00 white-tailed deer B licenses) available for purchase in Region 6, which is at the heart of the outbreak. Commissioners expressed concerns that limiting white-tailed deer opportunity may increase pressure on recovering mule deer populations in other regions as hunters seek alternative opportunities. After a lengthy discussion, considering several concerns Commissioners received from hunters, the Commission voted to limit the sale of 006-00 B licenses to 2,000 in total, and limiting the opportunity for individuals to purchase to a single tag beginning October 10, 2025.
Complimenting these herd health-focused actions, the Commission also greenlit a slate of habitat conservation leases, marking a win for proactive land stewardship. These agreements will enhance conservation efforts on thousands of acres of riparian and grassland habitats crucial for species like sage grouse, pheasants, and ungulates. The potential benefits of habitat and conservation leases were highlighted by an informational update on FWP’s pheasant enhancement program, which included habitat enhancements under the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP). The UGBEP initiative aims to not only boost bird numbers but to also foster partnerships with private landowners for habitat protection and recreational access.
These measures combine to create adaptive wildlife governance, where science and sportsmen’s voices converge to navigate emerging impacts on wildlife populations. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation is a strong proponent for science-based adaptive management. Utilizing the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation we will continue to monitor and engage in these rulemaking meetings, ensuring that the sportsmen’s voice is reflected in the final decisions.
