Rule 36.25.149 - GENERAL RECREATIONAL USE OF STATE LANDS: RESTRICTIONS(1) The following restrictions apply to persons engaging in general recreational use of state lands except for general recreational use subject to block management restrictions pursuant to ARM 36.25.163: (a)(i) Except as provided in (ii) and (iii), motorized vehicle use on state lands by recreationists is restricted to federal roads, state roads, dedicated county roads, other county roads that are regularly maintained by the county and those roads on state lands that are designated by the department as open for motor vehicle use.(ii) A person who has in his or her possession a "permit to hunt from vehicle" issued by the department of fish, wildlife and parks is authorized to drive on any road except a road that is closed by the department by sign or barrier.(iii) A recreationist may park on state land within 50 feet of a customary access point; on federal roads and highways, state highways, and county roads in accordance with applicable traffic laws and regulations; and within 50 feet of any other road designated by the department for public access across the state land. The recreationist may not park so as to block vehicle access to the tract. Parking of vehicles must be accomplished in a manner that does not produce injury to the land or the lessee's improvements.(b) Snowmobile use on the roads referenced in (1) (a) (i) is allowed only if permitted by applicable traffic laws and regulations. Snowmobile use on leased land is restricted to those department roads that have been designated as open to motorized vehicle use. Snowmobile use on unleased land is allowed except in areas where it is prohibited by the department.(c) A recreationist shall use firearms in a careful and prudent manner. A recreationist may not negligently, as defined in 45-2-101(37), MCA, discharge a firearm on state lands or discharge a firearm within 1/4 mile of an inhabited dwelling or of an outbuilding in close proximity to an inhabited dwelling without permission of an inhabitant. Temporary absences of inhabitants do not render a dwelling uninhabited.(d) Open fires on leased or licensed land are restricted to campgrounds designated by the department for public camping. No fireworks may be discharged on state land.(e) Overnight recreational use on leased or licensed land must take place within 200 feet of a legal and customary access point or water body that is navigable for recreational purposes under 23-2-302, MCA. The person may not drive or park a vehicle more than 50 feet from the access point. A recreationist's overnight use of state lands must not exceed the following time limits: (i) for any site on leased or licensed land outside a designated campground - 2 consecutive days;(ii) for a designated campground - 14 consecutive days;(iii) for unleased, unlicensed lands outside a campground 14 days per calendar year, unless permission for a longer period is obtained from the department.(f) A recreationist may not keep horses on state land overnight.(g) A recreationist shall keep pets on a leash or otherwise in control. A recreationist may not allow the pet to harass livestock.(h) A recreationist may not interfere with legitimate activities of the lessees or their agents conducted pursuant to the lease. For example, the discharge of firearms that would interfere with the authorized use of a tract for livestock operations is prohibited.(i) For state lands included within a wildlife management or block management area administered by the department of fish, wildlife and parks, recreational use and activities must be conducted in accordance with rules, regulations, and procedures specific to that management area.(j) Littering on state lands is prohibited. Recreationists shall pack out their litter.(2) The department may, after notice to the lessee, impose additional site specific restrictions on general recreational use to protect public safety, property, or the environment.Mont. Admin. r. 36.25.149
NEW, 1992 MAR p. 568, Eff. 3/27/92; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 1844, Eff. 7/8/94; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 2002, Eff. 7/22/94; TRANS, 1996 MAR p. 2384.77-1-209 and 77-1-804, MCA; IMP, 77-1-804, MCA;