Two Montana Big Game Poachers Get Their Just Rewards

Carelessly shooting a big game animal and just leaving it to waste. Yeah, that always sits well with Montana hunters.

And we know the reactions of some of you when punishment is announced: It's not enough. But at least there were convictions in these two separate cases and thankfully not all meat was lost.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reports that two FWP law enforcement cases were completed, including (and this will not sit well with you) an unlawfully killed bull elk in Blaine County and a bull moose in Phillips County.

Lucas Sterling of Columbia Falls plead guilty to charges of hunting without a license and unlawful possession of a bull elk killed during the 2020 archery season in the Bear Paw Mountains in Blaine County. He was hunting without the required special permit for the hunting district. He was ordered to pay $460 in fines, $1000 in restitution, and lost his privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years in Montana.

In the case involving a bull moose, Tyrus Brockie of Harlem plead guilty to charges of hunting without a license, waste of a game animal, and hunting without landowner permission. The moose was shot west of Malta. He was ordered to pay $1,040 in fines, $1000 in restitution and lost his privileges to hunt, fish and trap for two years in Montana.

Fortunately in both cases, the meat from the unlawfully killed animals was able to be processed and donated in the local communities.

Yep, hunting seasons in Montana are ramping up. If you witness any crimes involving fish and wildlife, please don't hesitate to make that call to the Montana FWP hotline: 1-800-TIP-MONT. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction.