Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks wardens are reminding hunters and homeowners that this act is incredibly illegal here in the Treasure State.

Even though it is illegal to use, many sporting goods stores across Montana sell feed, supplements, and various baiting attractants marketed specifically for wild game.

Keep in mind just because it's for sale does not mean it is legal!

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Montana Hunting Regulations on Baiting

According to the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Department, the following practices are prohibited:

• It is unlawful for anyone to hunt or attempt to hunt any game animal or game bird by the aid of or with the use of any bait, salt lick, trap, snare, or set gun.
• Baiting shall mean the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of food sources or salt so as to constitute a lure or attraction.
• Artificial scents may be used to attract game animals (except black bears) and game birds.

Feeding Game Animals is Also Illegal

You might think just because you're not hunting it's OK to feed the wildlife.

Well, guess again, according to Montana Code Annotated (MCA) 87-6-216 providing supplemental feed to game animals is also illegal.

1. Purposely or knowingly attracting cloven-hoofed ungulates, bears, mountain lions, or wild turkeys with supplemental feed is prohibited.
2. Negligent feeding: If a person has been warned and fails to store feed, allowing game animals to access it properly, they can face legal penalties.
3. Artificial concentrations of animals: Providing feed in a way that artificially concentrates game animals, which could contribute to disease transmission or create public safety risks, is unlawful.

Exceptions to the Rules

The following activities are not restricted under Montana's feeding and baiting laws:

• Normal feeding of livestock
• Standard agricultural practices
• Lawn or garden cultivation
• Commercial garbage processing
• Recreational bird feeding (unless the feed attracts game animals and poses a risk of disease or safety issues)

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