The Skyline Sportsmen’s Association of Butte has added $500 to the reward offered for information about a pictograph panel that was vandalized at Missouri Headwaters State Park.
The graffiti was discovered in December at a popular destination for park visitors that contains a visible pictograph consisting of a human figure in solid red.
An initial assessment of the vandalism indicates a person likely used a paintbrush to paint over a portion of the existing pictograph and made about 10 markings in other areas of the limestone panel. This may have also damaged other pictographs at the site that are not readily visible.
This culturally sensitive site and the surrounding area have ties to many different groups of indigenous peoples dating back thousands of years. The area includes the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers to form the Missouri River, and it hosted a camp for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805.
Removing graffiti without damaging existing cultural resources can be extremely difficult and expensive.
Anyone with possible information about this incident is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details or to contact a game warden. With donations from the Skyline Sportsmen’s Association and FWP, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,500.
Source: Montana FWP
