What does Preamble of Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To release from wilderness study area designation certain land in the State of Montana, to improve the management of that land, and for other purposes,' aims to release land from wilderness study area designation in Montana. The bill intends to improve the management of the released land. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on December 17, 2025, by Mr. Downing and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act.

What does FINDINGS. of Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act do?

This section outlines findings related to wilderness study areas in Montana established under the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have determined that a significant portion of these areas, over 700,000 acres, are unsuitable for wilderness designation. The Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas are specifically mentioned as being deemed unsuitable for wilderness designation following collaborative processes. Removing the wilderness study area designation from these areas would allow land managers to better conserve and manage them, potentially enhancing sportsmen opportunities, improving public access, and facilitating wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Applicable land and resource management plans for these areas were developed through a multi-year, collaborative process using resource needs, conditions, and the best available science.

What does RELEASE AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF LAND COMPRISING CERTAIN of Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act do?

This section addresses the management of the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area, Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area, and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area. The Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area (approximately 81,000 acres) will no longer be subject to section 3(a) of the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977. The Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area will be managed according to the most recent applicable land and resource management plan under section 6 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. The Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area (approximately 11,380 and 11,580 acres respectively) will no longer be subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. The Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area will be managed according to applicable land management plans adopted under section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976.

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Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Last updated: 12/17/2025 · Introduced: 12/17/2025

Author: Troy Downing (R-MT)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill releases approximately 700,000 acres of land in Montana from wilderness study area designations established under the Montana Wilderness Study Act and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
The Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area will be managed according to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act, while the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas will be managed under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Removing these designations aims to improve land management, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and facilitate wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects.

119th Congressin committeeS. 3527(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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