The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission has adopted new archery equipment standards that are similar to those set by a nationally recognized bow hunting organization. The new regulations require that compound bow’s maximum "let-off" not exceed 80 percent. Compound bows have mechanical devices that reduce the force an archer must exert on the bowstring to draw back and hold the bowstring steady. Also in the new standards, the bow can be no shorter than 28 inches. The Commission also adopted definitions of several "trophy" animals, in cooperation with a citizen’s working group. These definitions use Boone & Crockett Club measurement methods, thought he actual measurements are based on Montana records. The definitions apply to all antlered and horned big-game animals. Restitution ranges between $2,000 and $30,000 for illegally taken trophy animals meeting the new Montana trophy definitions. The 2000 Hunting Regulations contain details. Montana law prohibits the use of electronic motion tracking devices while hunting. The Commission adopted specific descriptions of these devices, including but not limited to: remote-operated camera or video devices; seismic devices; electronic trip wires; photo beam or laser devices used to activate tracking or recording equipment; thermal imaging devices and satellite or radio-telemetry tracking devices. A hunter using a dog with a radio-tracking collar is not using a motion-tracking device, according to this regulation.
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