TIP-Mont is key to enforcing hunting laws

Montana hunters have the opportunity to take part in some of the finest hunting found anywhere. But each autumn, some individuals unwittingly or knowingly violate the state's game laws.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials ask that hunters take the time to review Montana's hunting rules and regulations to ensure they act within the law and are prepared to recognize when others violate the law.

Among the most common game violations are:

Failure to properly validate a license/tag and securely fasten the tag in a visible manner to a game animal immediately after the kill and before it is moved or transported from the kill site.

Failure to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property.

Using someone else's tag on a game animal you killed or tagging a game animal that someone else killed.

Shooting or attempting to shoot game animals or game birds from a vehicle.

Shooting game animals on or from any public highway or public right-of-way.

Using a vehicle (including all-terrain vehicles and aircraft) to concentrate, drive, rally, stir up or harass game animals.

Failure to stop at a checking station even going to or from hunting or fishing areas if you have no game or fish.

Failure to leave evidence of the sex of a game animal naturally attached to the animal.

Failure to wear at least 400 square inches of hunter (fluorescent) orange clothing above the waist at all times while hunting during big game firearms seasons.

Wasting any part of a game animal suitable for food.

FWP encourages hunters to protect the future of their sport by policing their own ranks and calling the toll-free (800) TIP-Mont, (800) 847-6668, number to report witnessed or suspected property vandalism, trespass, wildlife violations or violations on U.S. Forest Service lands.