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Where: State Capitol Building, Room 317, and via Zoom
MEETING AGENDA (PDF)
Public Comment Opportunity
Public comments were accepted on the following proposals through November 23, 2025 with final potential action to be taken at the December 4 meeting. The public comment opportunity on the main agenda topics, prior to the meeting, is now CLOSED. Public comment on the Teton Springs amendment closed at Noon on December 3.
PLEASE READ!!! NEW INSTRUCTIONS!!!
There are two dedicated methods to submit public comment to the Fish and Wildlife Commission on meeting agenda topics PRIOR TO the meeting:
Each agenda item will have a survey at the bottom, below the linked documents, that is set up for submitting public comment. The survey also allows for letters or supporting documents to be attached.
Public comments can also be mailed to the Commission at the address below:
Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission
c/o FWP Liaison – Director’s Office
PO Box 200701
Helena MT, 59620-0701
These two options are the only ways to submit comment and/or documents to the Commission on any agenda item prior the meeting. Should you have any questions about this process, please contact the FWP Liaison to the Commission at 406-594-8921.
Public comment is always welcome in person during the meeting, or via Zoom. Those commenting via Zoom must register to comment. Registration opened on November 19.
Public Comment at meeting
Public comment opportunity will be offered during the meeting. In-person comments can be made at the meeting venue or at any FWP Regional Office throughout the state.
Comments can also be made during the meeting virtually via Zoom, but you must register. Registration for Zoom comment closed on December 3 at noon.
Login information will be emailed to those who registered prior to the meeting..
Public meetings to discuss proposed hunting regulations
In preparation for the December meeting, FWP held a series of virtual and in-person public meetings around the state to present proposed hunting regulations for 2026/2027 hunting seasons found below.
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
Dunbar Habitat Conservation Lease
Decision Notice (PDF)
Lease Overview (PDF)
Lease Summary (PDF)
HCLP Access Report - Final (PDF) *NEW*
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Flathead Indian Reservation Non-Member Fishing and Bird Hunting Regulations
Proposed Changes (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Game Damage Management Season, Wildlife Health, & Urban Wildlife Quota Authorizations
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
Bull River WMA Forest Habitat Improvement and Fuels Reduction Project
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Antelope Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Antelope Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 3, 300-20 (PDF)
Region 3, 300-30 (PDF)
Region 3, 311-20 (PDF)
Region 3, 318-319-350 (PDF)
Region 3, 371 (PDF)
Region 3, 390 (PDF)
Region 4, HD 430 (PDF)
Region 4, HD 480 (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Bighorn Sheep Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Bighorn Sheep Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 1, Any Ram (PDF)
Region 2, HD 250 (PDF)
Region 2, HD 270 (PDF)
Region 3, HD 381 (PDF)
Region 4, BHS-HD 421 (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Bison Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Bison Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 3, HD 385 (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Black Bear Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Black Bear Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 4, Establish BMUs, Female Sub-Quotas, & Justifications (PDF)
HD 510 Season Proposal (PDF)
HD 520 Season Proposal (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Moose Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Moose Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Mountain Goat Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Mountain Goat Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 3, HD 313 (PDF)
Region 5, HD 518 (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Upland Game Bird & Turkey Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Upland Game Bird Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Mountain Lion Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Mountain Lion Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
The public comment period on the following proposal ran through November 23, 2025, with final potential action at the December 4 commission meeting. Public comment is accepted during the comment period by using the survey option below or by mail-in submission. Those are the only two methods to submit public comment on Commission agenda topics.
2026 and 2027 Deer and Elk Hunting Regulations, Season Structures, and Hunting District Boundaries
Deer and Elk Draft (PDF)
Legal Descriptions (PDF)
Region 1 - Elk (PDF)
Region 2 - Elk (PDF)
Region 3 - Elk (PDF)
Region 3 - Mule Deer (PDF)
Region 4 - Elk (PDF)
Region 4 - Mule Deer (PDF)
Region 4 - TSCCHA Justifications (PDF) *NEW*
Region 5 - Elk (PDF)
Region 5 - Mule Deer (PDF)
Region 6 - Elk (PDF)
Region 7 - Elk (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Vice Chair K.C. Walsh, Region 4. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Bill Lane, Region 7. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Susan Kirby Brooke, Region 3. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Brian Cebull, Region 5. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Brian Cebull, Region 5. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Black Bear Bonus Points (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Ian Wargo, Region 1. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Antlerless Mule Deer (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Ian Wargo, Region 1. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Antlerless Elk (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Chair Lesley Robinson, Region 6. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Ian Wargo, Region 1. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Jeff Burrows, Region 2. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Mountain Lion Season (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Jeff Burrows, Region 2. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Mountain Lion Sub Quotas (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Jeff Burrows, Region 2. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
Mountain Lion UHDC (PDF)
This amendment was proposed by Commissioner Jeff Burrows, Region 2. The public comment period for this amendment will run through December 1, 2025. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by FWP and is being carried by Vice Chair KC Walsh, Region 4. The public comment period for this amendment ran through December 3, 2025 at Noon and is now closed. Comments must be submitted using the survey at the bottom, or via USPS mail (see the physical address listed at the top of the page). Due to time constraints, it is highly recommended that the online surveys be used for any comments submitted for this amendment; this provides the highest likelihood that the comments will be reviewed prior to the meeting.
This amendment was proposed by Chair Lesley Robinson, Region 6. Public comment will be offered during the meeting on December 4, since this is being posted the day before.
This amendment was proposed by Chair Lesley Robinson, Region 6. Public comment will be offered during the meeting on December 4, since this is being posted the day before.
What follows are links to the public comments received on the main agenda topics. There are also links that show any attached documents that were added to the online surveys and any letters that were sent in via USPS.
PUBLIC COMMENT - Main Agenda Items (PDF)
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS - Bighorn Sheep (PDF)
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS - Black Bear (PDF)
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS - Deer & Elk (PDF)
What follows are links to the public comments received on the amendments. There are also links that show any attached documents that were added to the online surveys.
PUBLIC COMMENT - Amendments (PDF)
ATTACHED DOCUMENTS - Amendments (PDF)
The commission may take action on all matters specifically noticed on any agenda.
Extensive opportunity is provided for public comment on hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. As a matter of equity for citizens who cannot attend commission meetings, when making final decisions on these regulations, the commission will not open public comment unless a significant amendment to the tentative proposal is brought forth by the commission or department. Comments will be limited to the amendment only. Time for comment may be limited at the Chair's discretion.
The department ensures its meetings are fully accessible to persons with disabilities and if special accomodations are needed, please contact the FWP Liaison to the Commission at 406-594-8921.