Montana Code Annotated
Part 2. General Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Offenses -- Related Offenses
87-6-205. Waste of game animal, game bird, or game fish

87-6-205. Waste of game animal, game bird, or game fish. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3), a person responsible for the death of any game animal, game bird, or game fish suitable for food may not purposely or knowingly waste the game by:
(a) detaching or removing only the head, hide, antlers, tusks, or teeth or any or all of these parts from the carcass of a game animal;
(b) transporting, hanging, or storing the carcass in a manner that renders it unfit for human consumption; or
(c) abandoning the carcass of a game animal or any portion of the carcass suitable for food in the field.
(2) A person in possession of a game animal or game animal parts, a game bird, or a game fish suitable for food may not purposely or knowingly waste the game by:
(a) transporting, storing, or hanging the animal, bird, or fish in a manner that renders it unfit for human consumption; or
(b) disposing of or abandoning any portion of the animal, bird, or fish that is suitable for food. For migratory birds, "suitable for food" means the breast meat.
(3) A person responsible for the death of a mountain lion, except as provided in 87-6-106, may not abandon the head or hide in the field.
(4) A person responsible for the death of a grizzly bear wastes the game if the person abandons the head or hide or any parts required by department or commission regulation for scientific purposes pursuant to 87-3-131.
(5) For the purposes of this section, the meat of a grizzly bear or a black bear that is found to be infected with trichinosis is not considered to be suitable for food.
(6) A person convicted of a violation of this section may be fined not less than $50 or more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both. In addition, the person, upon conviction or forfeiture of bond or bail, shall:
(a) forfeit any current hunting, fishing, or trapping license issued by this state and the privilege to hunt, fish, or trap in this state for 24 months from the date of conviction or forfeiture unless the court imposes a longer period; and
(b) pay restitution pursuant to 87-6-905 through 87-6-907.
(7) A person convicted of waste of game by abandonment in the field may be subject to the additional penalties provided in 87-6-901.
(8) Regulations adopted pursuant to this section for game birds may not be more restrictive than comparable federal regulations, except as provided in subsection (2)(b).
History: En. Sec. 11, Ch. 258, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 124, Ch. 258, L. 2011; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 496, L. 2021.