A coalition of 19 organizations and nearly 50 individuals submitted a petition to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks seeking to require hunters and trappers to carry bear spray in areas where bears are present, the agency confirmed this week.

The petition argues that hunters and trappers face elevated risk of bear encounters because they often work alone, move through dense brush and forest, and use baited or scented traps that can attract bears. The requirement would apply specifically to bear country but would not prevent hunters from also carrying firearms.

Mike Bader, apparently a petition organizer or supporter, framed the measure as a complementary safety tool rather than a firearms restriction. “If this rule is adopted, it would not prohibit people from carrying firearms. If they still want to carry a firearm, they can. But this would provide a non-lethal alternative,” Bader said.

Bader also cited research on bear spray effectiveness, stating that “Bear spray has been shown to be very effective. It’s not foolproof, just like wearing seat belts doesn’t guarantee you won’t be injured or wearing a life vest in a boat, but it increases your odds and your safety margin by a lot.”

Next Steps for FWP and Commission

Both the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks department and the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will review the petition. The agencies are expected to respond within 60 days. The timing of the submission—ahead of the hunting season—appears deliberate, allowing the agencies to weigh the proposal before the fall harvest begins.

Whether FWP or the Commission will hold public hearings or move toward rulemaking remains unclear. Mandatory gear requirements for hunters have generated debate in past Montana legislative sessions, with some outdoor groups supporting safety measures and others opposing what they view as government overreach into hunting practice.

The petition arrives as Montana continues grappling with wildlife management questions across multiple species. The department has proposed reducing the state’s wolf harvest quota significantly following a population revision, signaling ongoing tension between predator management, hunter opportunity, and wildlife conservation goals.