87-3-124. Restrictions on hunting with dogs. (1) (a) Except as provided in 87-3-127 and subsection (2) of this section, a person may not chase with dogs any of the game or fur-bearing animals as defined by the fish and game laws of this state.
     (b) A person may take game birds during the appropriate open season with the aid of a dog or dogs. Any person or association organized for the protection of game may run field trials at any time upon obtaining written permission from the director.
     (c) Any peace officer, game warden, or other person authorized to enforce the Montana fish and game laws who witnesses any dog attacking or killing hooved game animals may destroy that dog without criminal or civil liability.
     (2) The commission has authority to allow and regulate the use of dogs for hunting and chasing mountain lion and bobcat.

     History: (1)En. Sec. 14, Ch. 238, L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 3694, R.C.M. 1921; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 77, L. 1923; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 192, L. 1925; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 59, L. 1927; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 162, L. 1931; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 159, L. 1941; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 224, L. 1947; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 157, L. 1949; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 126, L. 1951; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 223, L. 1953; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 193, L. 1955; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 53, L. 1963; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 34, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 90, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 201, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 177, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 124, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 305, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 108, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 152, L. 1975; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 9, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 196, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 235, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 400, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 417, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 485, L. 1977; Sec. 26-301, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 1, Ch. 184, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 235, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 417, L. 1977; Sec. 26-303.5, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 26-301(part (5)(a)), (5)(b), 26-303.5; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 43, L. 1997.