Nov 11, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Truck Runs Montana Check Station, Wardens Find Blood

A truck blows through a check station near Dillon and wardens spot deer blood in the bed. See how it plays out and what it means for Montana hunters.

Nov 7, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

A Missed Check Station and One Left Turn Near Augusta

A Missouri truck skips a check station near Augusta, and warden Brian Goalie follows. Wardens Season 6 opens with a lesson in how enforcement really works.

Nov 5, 2026 · Angela Montana

Corvallis man sentenced for five felony and thirteen misdemeanor poaching crimes

CORVALLIS– Jason Rulon Davis of Corvallis was recently sentenced for 18 wildlife poaching crimes committed in Ravalli County. In May, Davis […]

Nov 1, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

They Hid a Transmitter in a Poached Bull’s Severed Head Near Billings

Montana wardens found a headless bull elk near Billings — then hid a transmitter in the skull to catch the poacher. Here’s how it went down.

Oct 30, 2026 · Angela Montana

FWP: Multi-year McCone County illegal hunting case results in over 100 seized animals, $1000s in fines, decades of lost privileges

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens recently completed a multi-year investigation into the illegal killing of deer, antelope, and […]

Oct 30, 2026 · Angela Montana

Father & Son Lose 20-Year Hunting Rights After Poaching

A Billings father and son pled guilty to multiple poaching charges — illegal elk kill, closed season hunting, and waste. Over $12,000 in fines and 20-year license loss.

Oct 25, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Deer Decoy in a Blizzard Catches a Night Shooter Near Glasgow

Montana wardens set a deer decoy in a blizzard near Glasgow and catch a shooter on the run. Here’s why this sting matters to every honest hunter.

Oct 24, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Warden Measures $8,000 Poached Bull Elk — Then Catches Hunters Shooting a Decoy Deer

Montana wardens bust poachers using a decoy deer — and measure a 6×6 bull elk worth $8,000 in trophy restitution. Here’s what every hunter needs to know.

Oct 19, 2026 · Angela Montana

When Your Trophy Case Turns Into a Court Case

Man drops a bag of cash on professional escorts for the biggest elk in Pennsylvania, and the escorts end up […]

Oct 17, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

When a Hunter’s Story Doesn’t Add Up: Montana Wardens Work a Deer Case on WILDLANDS

Montana game wardens unravel a deer hunter’s suspicious story in this WILDLANDS episode — a real-world reminder of what FWP enforcement actually looks like.

Oct 4, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

The Warden Was Already Watching — These Montana Elk Hunters Didn’t Know It

Montana wardens used robotic elk decoys on opening morning to catch hunters violating brow-tine bull restrictions. The whole thing was caught on camera.

Sep 22, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Two Wardens, Two Hunters, Two Broken Stories — This Wildlands Episode Shows Exactly How Montana Game Wardens Work

Watch how Montana game wardens unravel inconsistent hunter stories in this Wildlands episode — plus practical tips every Montana hunter needs to know.

Sep 21, 2026 · Angela Montana

Game wardens seek information on mule deer buck shot and wasted north of Hardin

Those with information encouraged to report     HARDIN – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking information on a […]

Sep 16, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Wardens Set Deer Decoy Trap During Winter Storm Brutus Near Glasgow — Driver Didn’t Stand a Chance

Montana wardens set a deer decoy trap near Glasgow during Winter Storm Brutus — what happened next is a masterclass in how poachers get caught.

Sep 10, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Montana Wardens Used This Elk Decoy Trick for 25 Years Near Cely Lake

Montana wardens Bill Copen and Kyle Miller reveal a 25-year elk decoy operation near Cely Lake — and what it means for hunters in Region 2.

Sep 6, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

48 Charges, 20 Dead Bucks, and One Poacher Near Whitefish — Why This Case Matters

A poacher near Whitefish racked up 48 charges after killing 20+ mature bucks and leaving them to rot. Here’s why this case matters to every Montana hunter.

Aug 26, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

When Game Wardens Come Knocking: The Real Price of Poaching in Montana

Montana game wardens are cracking down on poaching and untagged game. Here’s what wildlife crime actually costs — and why it matters to every legal hunter.

Aug 21, 2026 · Angela Montana

How to Lose 33 Grand, Your Guns, and Your Dignity

Carter J. Hickey, a 21-year-old from Ohio, faced severe legal consequences after flaunting illegal hunting activities on TikTok. He pled guilty to seventeen wildlife crimes, incurring over $33,000 in fines, jail time, and a ban on hunting. His case highlights the importance of reporting wildlife crimes to protect ethical hunting and conservation efforts.

Jul 28, 2026 · Angela Montana

PSA: Don’t Use Your Grandma’s Hunting License (And Other Lessons from Two Convicted Poachers)

Here’s the thing about trying to turn Montana into your personal, all-you-can-poach buffet: eventually, someone’s going to call the manager. […]

Jul 10, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Opening Day Elk Confiscated — What Montana Game Wardens Found

A Montana hunter’s elk gets confiscated on opening day. Here’s what the wardens found — and what every elk hunter needs to know before heading out.

Jun 3, 2026 · Angela Montana

Trophy Deer Poaching Scandal: Consequences and Lessons

Tony Zimbelman from Pondera County thought he had the ultimate bragging rights after claiming he bagged an absolute monster of […]

May 12, 2026 · Angela Montana

Duck, Duck, Goose’d: Two Montana Hunters Facing 5 Years for 223-Bird Hoard

Well, it turns out there’s a very thin line between “stocking the freezer” and “wildlife racketeering,” and two Montana hunters […]

Apr 29, 2026 · Angela Montana

Big Bucks and Bigger Fines: Montana’s 2025 Poaching Recap

Montana's Fish, Wildlife & Parks reported over $120,000 in fines for poaching and hunting violations, highlighting the importance of compliance. Community tips helped, earning $28,000 in rewards, promoting conservation efforts.

Apr 28, 2026 · Angela Montana

Bucking the System: The Weird Tale of Idaho’s Elementary School Poacher

An Idaho man's midnight hunt at Orofino Elementary earned him a failing grade. Using a crossbow and DNA-matched evidence, he bagged a $1,600 fine, jail time, and a five-year hunting ban.

Apr 3, 2026 · montanaoutdoor

Wisconsin Hunter Lost 10 Years: What Montana Poaching Actually Costs

A Wisconsin man just lost 10 years of Montana hunting privileges. Here's exactly what triggers long-term bans — and what every hunter must know right now.

Mar 31, 2026 · Angela Montana

Game wardens seek information on mule deer fawn killed in Roundup

Gemini said Montana FWP seeks information regarding a mule deer fawn illegally killed by a blow dart in Roundup. Similar incidents involving ducks occurred in Billings. Report tips to tipmont.mt.gov for rewards.

Mar 12, 2026 · Angela Montana

Central Montana game wardens report an increase in illegally taken mountain lions

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens reported a rise in illegally harvested mountain lions in central Montana in 2025, including hunters who shot lions first and only purchased hunting licenses afterward.

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 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.