How the Research Was Conducted

Associated Press compared databases to find cases in which people on parole or probation got hunting tags that allow them to hunt with guns.

The first, middle and last names of 8,732 people under the supervision of the Montana Department of Corrections were compared with full names of 268,254 licensees in the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks database.

The exact number of felons with licenses to hunt with guns could not be confirmed, because some names were too common, or other more specific identifiable information, such as birthdates or street addresses, wasn’t available. About 160 names that were in both databases were eliminated for these reasons.

The state also automatically gives a bird-hunting license to a small number of felons, those who are older than 62 or disabled, who buy a conservation license for fishing. In those cases, the felon may not have known he was getting a hunting license.

Also, some felons convicted in early November 2005 might have legally used their fall hunting licenses before being convicted and barred from using guns.

Sources: Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Department of Corrections