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A revived bill outlawing the use of state-generated wildlife location data for hunting is in the hands of Montana’s governor.

Senate Bill 349, brought by East Helena Democrat Jill Cohenour, would limit the uses of specific Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks data, such as the GPS location of collared elk or grizzly bear dens. While that data would be available under state open records laws, those obtaining it could not use it to “hunt or harass wildlife” or transfer it to another person for hunting.

SB 349 drew the support of several hunting groups who see it as a means of maintaining “fair chase” hunting ethics, which seek to limit the advantage of hunters over game animals. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks testified that it has received public record requests such as the GPS elk data with the intention of the requester to go out and hunt that animal.