FWP proposes changes to dog training rules, public hearings scheduled

From Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

To minimize the impacts of dog training operations on nesting upland gamebirds and waterfowl, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is proposing new requirements for trainers.

Statute requires written permission by the FWP director to train dogs within one mile of nesting gamebirds. However, the agency has never had any adequate way to enforce the rule or a system for trainers to obtain permission.

The need to address the rule was of great concern to bird hunters and as a result the Fish and Wildlife Commission directed the agency to look at the problem.

The pr...