Mar 9, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

North Idaho Poaching Case: Coeur d’Alene Man Sentenced for Unlawfully Killing 3 White-Tailed Deer and an Elk

A Coeur d’Alene man has been sentenced in a North Idaho poaching case involving the unlawful killing of three white-tailed deer and one elk. Idaho Fish and Game says the case included nighttime hunting activity involving artificial light and resulted in jail time, restitution, and a long hunting license suspension.

Mar 8, 2026 · Angela Montana

Idaho Hunter’s “Bow-Season” Trophy Elk Story Unravels After Rifle Evidence Found, Officials Say

Idaho investigators say an archery-season trophy bull elk was illegally killed with a rifle—and then staged to look like a legal bow kill. A recovered 6.5 mm bullet, a search warrant, and additional spotlighting allegations in a separate case helped drive major penalties, including jail time, steep fines, restitution, and long-term hunting license revocations.

Feb 16, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan

Nearly $50,000 in fines, restitution imposed for illegal big horn sheep hunts on Salmon-Challis National Forest

A defendant sold and facilitated Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep hunts in an area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest that is closed to commercial guiding.

Feb 15, 2026 · Angela Montana

The Tuck Away: Unusual Marine Harvesting Incident

A woman was cited for illegally taking two abalones from Van Damme State Park after hiding one in her pants, raising concerns about seafood smuggling amid California residents relocating to Montana.

Feb 5, 2026 · Angela Montana

Game wardens seek Information on Unlawfully Killed Bull Elk West of Roundup

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking the public’s help in gathering information on an unlawfully killed bull elk found on private property and left to waste. Only the head and backstraps were removed from the bull and all other meat was wasted.

Feb 4, 2026 · Moosetrack Megan

FWP seeking information on moose killed near Bozeman

Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are seeking information on a bull moose that was shot and killed along Middle Cottonwood Trail near Bozeman.

Feb 3, 2026 · Angela Montana

Idaho Poaching Case Highlights Consequences of Illegal Wildlife Harvest

An Idaho poaching investigation revealed illegal deer baiting and a closed-season moose harvest, highlighting the serious consequences of violating Idaho Fish and Game laws.

Dec 5, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Sidney men arrested for wildlife violations in Dawson County

Warden Ault and warden Gregory Conitz responded to the scene and discovered seven mule deer doe and fawn carcasses that had been shot with rifles and left to waste.

Dec 5, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Tips sought on two elk poached near Georgetown Lake

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a cow and spike elk that were shot and left to waste on private property between Georgetown Lake and the East Fork Reservoir, south of Philipsburg.

Dec 5, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Game wardens seek information on bull elk killed west of Toston 

Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are looking for tips from the public about two bull elk that were killed in Hunting District 380 west of Toston. 

Dec 4, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Wardens investigating cow elk shot near Polebridge

A cow elk was shot on private land about two miles south of Polebridge.

Dec 4, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Texas man pleads guilty to trafficking bald and golden eagles

The co-defendants sent the eagles, including their parts, through the mail from Montana to Humble, Texas, where Butler resides.

Nov 24, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Tips sought on black bear cub shot west of Stevensville

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a black bear cub that was shot and left to waste on U.S. Forest Service land west of Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley

Nov 17, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Mule deer doe shot, left to waste near Augusta

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a mule deer doe that was shot and left to waste on state land southwest of Augusta.

Nov 14, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

FWP investigating bighorn sheep shot and left to waste near Thompson River Road

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking information after a bighorn sheep ram was shot and left to waste off Thompson River Road near Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls.

Nov 12, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Info sought after three elk shot, left to waste

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on three elk that were shot and left to waste on the Sun River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Augusta earlier this week.

Oct 28, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Wardens seeking information on unlawfully killed bull elk

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on an unlawfully killed six-by-six bull elk left to waste on private property south of Musselshell.

Oct 9, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Three men charged in poaching case near Hardin  

–Three Big Horn County men were recently charged in Montana’s 22nd Judicial District Court by a designated special prosecutor for unlawfully killing several bull elk and one mule deer buck in the Sarpy Creek area near Hardin between 2022 and 2023. 

Sep 19, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Six men sentenced in Musselshell County poaching case

Six men from Montana and Washington have pled guilty in Musselshell County Justice Court to unlawfully killing bull elk and mule deer bucks near Roundup.

Sep 18, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Tips sought on two spike elk shot south of Hamilton

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on two spike elk shot and left to waste on private land near Likes Ranch Block Management Area south of Hamilton.

Aug 20, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Antelope buck poached near Alzada, left to waste

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks received a report Aug. 13 of a buck antelope found on private land off Highway 323 near Alzada with its head removed and the meat left to waste.

Aug 13, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Felony warrants issued for Michigan father and son for wildlife violations

Warrants for the arrest of a Michigan father and son have been issued following a series of wildlife violations in Treasure County.

Jul 9, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Men charged for alleged unlawful take of seven white-tailed deer

56 violations! Five of the seven deer were killed in a single 24-hour period.

Jul 9, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Coeur d’Alene man convicted of unlawful killing of a trophy bull elk 

Thanks to a tip submitted through Fish and Game’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline, a Coeur d’Alene man was convicted of a felony for unlawfully taking wildlife.

Apr 14, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Kalispell man found guilty on seven criminal counts related to poaching crimes

Carr was convicted of two counts of unlawful possession of wildlife, two counts of hunting or killing an overlimit of game animals, two counts of waste of game animals, and a single count of loan or transfer of a license.

Apr 10, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

Two Men Sentenced in Largest-Ever Bird Mount Trafficking Case in U.S. History

$900,000 Fine is One of the Largest Ever Ordered for an Endangered Species Act Case. Waldrop amassed an extensive collection of 1,401 taxidermy bird mounts and 2,594 eggs.

Feb 27, 2025 · Moosetrack Megan

They bragged about poaching. Turns out, they were telling the game warden.

The case involves unlawful possession of a sea turtle skull, several mountain lions, a wolverine, a ringtail cat, owl parts and illegally harvested deer.

Feb 25, 2025 · Angela Montana

Wardens investigating dead mountain lion near Troy

Information sought by FWP on dead mountain lion…

Oct 16, 2024 · Angela Montana

Poaching isn’t hunting, it’s stealing

In out-of-state news, three Chester County guys— a father and his two sons— just got hit with a whopping 71 […]

Mar 25, 2024 · Angela Montana

Aggravated Assault in Tennessee Deer Poaching Case Results in Felony Conviction

A deer poaching case in Rogersville involving aggravated assault of a landowner has resulted in a felony conviction for a […]

Feb 28, 2024 · Angela Montana

FWP News: FWP game wardens seek information on suspected poaching near Gardiner 

GARDINER – Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are seeking information on a suspected poaching near Mol Heron […]

Feb 8, 2024 · Angela Montana

When Snail Mail Leads to Solving Deer Poaching Case

Whether it’s through personal interactions, dispatch reports, social media posts, phone tips, or even traditional written letters, every lead sent […]

Jul 27, 2023 · Angela Montana

Kansas Poacher Kills Moose and Lets It Rot After Attempting to Take Head

A recent press release by Colorado Parks and Wildlife revealed a couple of things – 1. Integrity is important–you’re always […]

May 19, 2023 · Angela Montana

Don’t be like Gail and Corey – Poachers busted for killing two bear cubs

What is wrong with people?  That is rhetorical. A mother, 52-year-old Gail Freer and her 29-year-old son, Corey Loving II, […]

Mar 8, 2023 · Angela Montana

Idaho man guilty of poaching trophy mule deer in Lemhi County

JT Johnson, pled guilty last month to poaching a trophy mule deer with a rifle in Idaho during an archery-only […]

Feb 13, 2023 · Angela Montana

Poacher claims he is “addicted to the venison”

A Michigan man, 55 year-old Scott Kevin Meisterheim, told a Conservation Officer that he “is not the most ethical hunter, […]