87-5-116. Limited taking of certain nongame wildlife for commercial purposes — exceptions. (1) The following nongame wildlife may not be taken for commercial purposes, except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), without prior authorization of the department, subject to regulations adopted by the department:

Terms Used In Montana Code 87-5-116

  • Commercial purposes: means the collection, harvest, possession, or transportation of a species or subspecies of nongame wildlife from the wild with the intent to barter, offer for sale, ship or transport for eventual sale, or sell the animal or any part of the animal. See Montana Code 87-5-102
  • Nongame wildlife: means a wild mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal not otherwise legally classified by statute or regulation of this state. See Montana Code 87-5-102
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
  • Wildlife: means a wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other wild animal or any part, product, egg, or offspring or the dead body or parts of the animal. See Montana Code 87-5-102

(a)northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus);

(b)pika (Ochotona princeps);

(c)pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis);

(d)amphibians native to the state of Montana; and

(e)reptiles native to the state of Montana.

(2)The department may regulate the taking of nongame wildlife for commercial purposes. Regulations may establish limitations related to the taking, possession, transportation, exportation, processing, sale or offer for sale, and shipment of nongame wildlife that are considered necessary to manage nongame wildlife.

(3)The harvest of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) for commercial purposes may not be regulated under this section.

(4)This section does not prohibit:

(a)outfitting for the shooting of nongame wildlife;

(b)payment by a landowner to an individual for shooting or removing nongame wildlife; or

(c)the use of byproducts of nongame wildlife in fishing flies, jewelry, or other handicrafts.