Earlier this month, Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Senate Bill 106 into law after it passed the Senate 48-2 and the House by 98-1.

The bill, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2025, adds new restrictions for hunters planning to fly into a landlocked parcel of public land, according to the Billings Gazette.

The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, garnered support from hunters like Josh DeVos, who spoke at a House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee meeting in March. 

“I would say in the last six to seven years, hunting has changed dramatically for myself and a lot of other sportsmen that have, unfortunately, had the interaction of these helicopters ruin their hunts,” said DeVos.

Bozeman hunter Kevin Wysocki was in agreement. 

“The problem is the elevation that they fly at,” said Wysocki. “They get a real, real low elevation so they can see things, and then all the elk scatter. They get harassed, and they move out of the area.”

With the passage of SB 106, hunters will now have to gain written landowner permission to land aircrafts for hunting purposes on private property. Also, once they do fly into a landlocked spot, they’ll be required to wait 24 hours before they can legally hunt. Note: The old law used to say that hunters couldn’t pursue game during the same calendar day. It will also be illegal to use aircraft for “concentrating, pursuing or driving game.” Those found in violation of the new law will lose hunting, trapping and fishing privileges, face a fine ranging from $300 to $1,000, and possible jail time of up to six months.

Ron Howell, FWP’s chief of law enforcement, mentioned that flying to landlocked public land parcels will still be allowed, although helicopters must land within 100 feet of a two-track road, as reported by the Billings Gazette.

Landowners will still be able to use drones to haze animals to protect property or crops as long as they have a permit from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP); however, those permits will not apply during the general hunting season. 

“This law is very challenging to enforce now,” said Howell. “We don't have a lot of tools. We have to rely on hunters and landowners to report these activities to us.”

“Everybody’s trying to do their best to ensure that everybody has a quality hunt, and it's difficult in the changing environment,” said Howell.