Repeal law authorizing killing of eagles or predatory hawks and owls

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and is no longer being considered, so there are uncertainties about its impact.

Remove Permission to Kill Eagles and Hawks

The bill removes the state's permission for livestock or poultry owners to kill eagles, hawks, and owls.

What This Bill Does

• Removes a law that allowed people who own animals like cows or chickens to kill eagles, hawks, and owls.
• Gets rid of Section 87-5-209 in the Montana Code Annotated, which is part of the state's laws.

Who It Names or Affects

• Livestock or poultry owners who might have killed eagles, hawks, and owls before.
• The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks that asked for this bill.

Terms To Know

Montana Code Annotated

A book with all the laws in Montana written down.

Effective date

The day when a new law starts working.

Limits and Unknowns

• This bill did not pass and is no longer being considered.
• It does not specify what will happen to the animals if people still want to protect their livestock or poultry from them.

Official Summary Text

Repeal law authorizing killing of eagles or predatory hawks and owls

Current Bill Text

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69th Legislature 2025 HB 73.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 73
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 73
2 INTRODUCED BY J. ISALY
3 BY REQUEST OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
4
5 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REMOVING THE STATE'S AUTHORIZATION OF THE
6 DESTRUCTION OF EAGLES OR PREDATORY HAWKS AND OWLS BY LIVESTOCK OR POULTRY
7 OWNERS; REPEALING SECTION 87-5-209, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”
8
9 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
10
11 NEW SECTION. Section 1. Repealer. The following section of the Montana Code Annotated is
12 repealed:
13 87-5-209. Destruction of eagles or predatory hawks and owls.
14
15 NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.
16 - END -