Tag: game wardens

Tip leads to felony convictions of two men for unlawful hunting

Two men who broke numerous hunting laws were convicted of five felonies and 54 misdemeanor charges after an extensive investigation.

Two men who broke numerous hunting laws were convicted of a combined five felonies and 54 misdemeanor charges after an extensive investigation in Montana.

A call on the state’s tip line detailed the unlawful hunting activity and prompted the investigation which led to charges against Michael J. Dess, 20, of Havre and Lane T. Allen, 22, of Harlem for unlawful take of deer and elk out of season in 2021 and 2022.

The charges involved the take or attempt to take nine antlered deer and four bull elk, some of which qualify for trophy restitution, a press release from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks stated.

Charges included violations of hunting during a closed season, hunting without a license, waste of game, over limits, the use of artificial light and the unlawful possession of game animals.

This month, both entered into plea agreements on separate felony and misdemeanor cases for unlawfully killing elk and deer from roadways after dark with use of artificial light.

Dess was originally charged with 13 misdemeanors and one felony in Blaine County and 22 misdemeanors and two felonies in Hill County. The plea agreement resulted in fines and restitution totaling $16,010, and loss of hunting privileges for 10 years.

Allen was originally charged with 10 misdemeanors and two felonies in Blaine County and nine misdemeanors in Hill County. His plea resulted in fines and restitution totaling $8,210, and the loss of hunting privileges for 10 years.

“Region 6 game wardens would like to thank hunters and landowners for their assistance in helping solve this case,” the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks stated. “A special thank you goes to Blaine County Attorney Kelsie Harwood for prosecuting both cases.”

Game wardens involved in the investigation (from left) are Sergeant Andy Matakis, Captain Shane Reno, Criminal Investigator Dirk Paulsen, Warden Haden Hussey, Warden Ben Morin and Warden Brady Murphy. Photo courtesy of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Montana game wardens travel the country seizing game killed illegally

Montana game wardens went to five other states and collected 18 illegally killed wildlife from Montana. Case involves multiple violations.

Montana game wardens traveled to five other states and, with the assistance of game wardens in those states, collected 18 illegally killed wildlife from Montana.

Seven elk, six mule deer, three whitetail deer and two antelope were confiscated as evidence in cases that include multiple wildlife violations, as announced by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

“These cases involve complex, long-term investigations of the most serious type of violations of hunting laws in Montana,” MFWP Chief of Law Enforcement Ron Howell stated.

Game wardens from the Montana cities of Kalispell, Billings and Miles City participated in the investigation, which included traveling to Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Kentucky.

Violations include license fraud, hunting without licenses, hunting during a closed season, over-limits of game animals, waste of game animals, tag transfer and unlawful possession of game animals. Charges are pending on all cases.

“Without the assistance of officers from the states involved, these cases would likely not be successfully investigated and prosecuted,” Howell said. “These investigations highlight the hard work and tenacity of our wardens to ensure that serious violations are investigated, and suspects are held accountable for those violations.”