Amended outfitter bill causes divide in State Senate

HELENA - An amended version of a bill that would place no more than 39% of out-of-state elk and deer tags into an “early bird” limited outfitter pool has caused debate in the Montana State Senate resulting in its original sponsor voting against the newest version. A second reading of Senate Bill 143 amended passed in the Senate 27-23 Feb. 23.

The bill’s sponsor, Senate District 43 Representative Jason Ellsworth (R-Hamilton), originally brought the bill forward with the intention of providing stability to outfitters. It would give them a select amount of out-of-state hunting permits as well as...