Montana Senate supports bear-hunting measure

HELENA (AP) — The Senate is backing a bill that reduces from five days to 24 hours the time hunters have to wait after purchasing a license to hunt black bears.

Republican Sen. Fred Thomas of Stevensville says House Bill 278 would allow for consistency in the law by requiring the same waiting period to hunt bears as that for wolves.

Opponents argued the measure would increase incidences of poaching. They point to a 1994 Fish, Wildlife and Parks study that concluded that Montanans preferred the five-day waiting period.

Some 28,000 bear hunting licenses were sold last year.

The measure passed 27-22 in an initial vote and will need to pass a final vote before heading to the governor's office.