Totally Ridiculous Laws That Are (Or Were) on Montana’s Books

If you are rocking two alarm clocks, annoying others with a sprinkler or letting your sheep ride shotgun, you could be in some serious trouble!

The first thing to ask yourself is, "These can't possibly still be on the books, can they?" The likely answer is some yes, some no, as information like this can be as outdated as some of the laws. But whether or not these all still exist, just wondering how they got there in the first place is half the fun.

John Thibault is an award-winning author, screenwriter, and former Universal Studios executive. His work includes the critically acclaimed book, How to Change a Law. Working on that book led John to some rather bizarre discoveries of laws that exist in all 50 states. He shared some of his findings on Montana with us. Oh, and if you are reading these in Gainesville, Georgia, quit eating that fried chicken with a fork! You can't do that.

Here is a small sample of some Montana highlights in John's findings by way of Discovering Montana:

BAIT AND HITCH

If you are an unmarried woman, it is illegal for you to go fishing by yourself. But once you get hitched, fish all you want, with or without your hubby. Except on Sundays.

BUSTED FOR BAAAAAAD DRIVING

It is illegal to allow a sheep to stay in the cab of your truck without a chaperone.

WOOL, SINCE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT

Never lead your sheep onto a railroad track. You could be subject to 5 years in jail plus a $50,000 fine.

DON'T SHOWER THE PEOPLE

This one's apparently a city rather than a state law, confined to Helena. Perhaps they are Montana's most sensitive city, not wanting to hurt residents' feelings. It is illegal in Helena to "annoy" people on sidewalks with a revolving sprinkler.

YOU CAN'T FAKE IT (NO, NOT THAT)

Nobody likes animal cruelty, and here's one extra step to hopefully ensure that it won't happen. It is illegal to even pretend to abuse an animal in front of a minor. And shame on you if you do it at all.

WAKE UP WITH ONLY ONE (NO, NOT THAT)

If you have more than one alarm clock ringing at the same time in Montana, you are breaking the law.

A couple of the others were a bit too adult in nature to be mentioned here. And whether still on the books or not, the guess here is that none of you are habitual offenders and need not worry.

Right?