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Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

USA119th CongressHR-6788| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
Troy Downing

Troy Downing

Republican Representative

Montana

Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to release specific land in Montana from its wilderness study area designation, enabling improved management and increased public access. It targets the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , managed by the Forest Service, and the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas , managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These areas, totaling over 100,000 acres, have been repeatedly determined unsuitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System by their respective agencies following extensive studies and collaborative processes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Despite these findings, over 1.1 million acres of public land in Montana, including these areas, remain under wilderness study designation, with over 700,000 acres deemed unsuitable for wilderness management. By removing the wilderness study area designation, the bill allows land managers to implement existing land and resource management plans, which were developed through multi-year collaborative processes based on resource needs and scientific data. This change is intended to provide for enhanced sportsmen opportunities, improved public access, and the ability to conduct crucial wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Following their release, these areas will continue to be managed in accordance with applicable environmental and administrative laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.
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Timeline
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3527
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3527
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

USA119th CongressHR-6788| House 
| Updated: 12/17/2025
This bill aims to release specific land in Montana from its wilderness study area designation, enabling improved management and increased public access. It targets the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , managed by the Forest Service, and the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas , managed by the Bureau of Land Management. These areas, totaling over 100,000 acres, have been repeatedly determined unsuitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System by their respective agencies following extensive studies and collaborative processes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s. Despite these findings, over 1.1 million acres of public land in Montana, including these areas, remain under wilderness study designation, with over 700,000 acres deemed unsuitable for wilderness management. By removing the wilderness study area designation, the bill allows land managers to implement existing land and resource management plans, which were developed through multi-year collaborative processes based on resource needs and scientific data. This change is intended to provide for enhanced sportsmen opportunities, improved public access, and the ability to conduct crucial wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Following their release, these areas will continue to be managed in accordance with applicable environmental and administrative laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Mar 4, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3527
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.


  • March 4, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3527
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Troy Downing

Troy Downing

Republican Representative

Montana

Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted