Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

This bill proposes to release three specific wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana from their current designations, totaling over 100,000 acres. These areas are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area , and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area . The legislation highlights that federal agencies, including the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have repeatedly determined these WSAs unsuitable for wilderness designation through extensive studies and collaborative processes spanning decades. Despite these findings, the areas have remained under wilderness study area status, which the bill argues restricts effective land management. By removing these designations, the bill mandates that the land be managed according to existing, collaboratively developed land and resource management plans. This change is intended to facilitate improved public access, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and enable critical wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Future management will continue to adhere to applicable environmental laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.