Bill Would Give Montanans Public Land Access Through Private Lands

HELENA - Members of the Montana House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee heard a bill last week that would require landowners to allow anyone access through their land in order to reach nearby public lands.

Introduced by Rep. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, House Bill 243 specifically prevents landowners with property that surrounds state land from allowing only certain wildlife outfitters access, sometimes through leasing.

“There’s 1.2 million acres of inaccessible state land in the state of Montana,” Jacobson said.

Jacobson said it’s an issue of equity. He argued landowners should not be able t...