Category: Poachers

Father and Son Plead Guilty to Multiple Poaching Charges; Face Heavy Fines and Loss of Hunting Privileges

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From left to right: FWP investigator Nick Taylor, warden Diego O’Brien, Wheatland County Deputy Sergeant Tim McKenna and Wheatland County Attorney Lynn Grant with mounts seized in the investigation.

Investigation began with report of trophy bull elk shot with a firearm during archery only season 

As a result of a yearlong investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens, a father and son pled guilty to multiple wildlife violations in Wheatland and Musselshell county courts earlier this month. Both men face thousands of dollars in fines and restitution and will lose hunting privileges for multiple years.

Michael Jason Letasky of Billings pled guilty in Wheatland County District Court to two counts of unlawful possession of a game animal, two counts of hunting during a closed season and one count of a waste of a game animal. He faces over $12,000 in fines and restitution and will lose hunting privileges for 20 years in Montana and all other states in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Michael’s son Kolton Letasky, of Austin, Texas, pled guilty in Musselshell County Justice Court to two counts of unlawful possession of a game animal and two counts of hunting without a license. Kolton faces over $3,000 in fines and restitution and will lose hunting privileges for four years.

This investigation began on Sept. 22, 2025, when two archery hunters in the Little Belt Mountains reported that a man shot a large bull elk with a rifle during archery only season. Read more

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Multi-Year McCone County, Montana Illegal Hunting Case Results in Over 100 Seized Animals, Thousands of Dollars in Fines, Decades of Lost Privileges

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Warden Ben Morin (L) and John Huberty (R) with mounts, antlers, and horns seized in illegal hunting case in McCone County

VIDA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens recently completed a multi-year investigation into the illegal killing of deer, antelope, and upland game birds in McCone County, resulting in over 100 seized animals, thousands of dollars in fines, and decades of lost privileges.

In 2024, wardens began actively investigating Vida-area landowner, Kelly Nelson, and the hunters who frequented his property. Montana residents as well as hunters from Washington, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Indiana hunted illegally on Nelson’s farm and on neighboring properties.

Thirteen suspects were charged with committing more than 80 violations over the last decade in McCone County. The investigation that followed led to the seizure or surrender of over 100 deer and antelope mounts, antlers, and horns.

All told, 89 citations were issued which resulted in fines totaling $36,785, and a combined loss of 44 years of hunting privileges. In addition, three of the nonresident hunters received lifetime Montana hunting bans. A final hunter’s case is awaiting a final resolution from the McCone County Attorney’s office.

“McCone County is a special place with world class wildlife,” said game warden John Huberty, who patrols McCone County. “These hunters displayed zero regard for ethical hunter behavior or the lawful pursuit of these animals; however, all but two of these subjects pled guilty to their offenses, were accountable, and cooperated with the investigation.”

Under a plea agreement, Nelson, the landowner, was fined and lost his Montana hunting privileges for eight years.

Anyone with information about crimes involving fish, wildlife or park regulations can visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details, call the FWP violation reporting hotline at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668), or get in touch with their local warden. Folks providing information may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Read more

Poachers

Attorney General James Uthmeier Charges 10 Defendants in Sea Turtle Poaching and Illegal Fishing Operation

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local law enforcement to announce charges against 10 people accused of running an illegal commercial fishing operation. After a multi-year undercover investigation by FWC and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.

“We plan to leave Florida better to God than how we found it, and poachers abusing our natural resources will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Those who abuse our waters and wildlife will find out how tough our laws are. The Office of Statewide Prosecution, FWC, and our local law enforcement officers will ensure criminals are caught and punished.”

“Florida’s fisheries belong to all of us, and the rules exist to protect these resources and the fishermen who play by them,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman. “I’m proud of the hard work and dedication of our undercover officers over the past four years. We need thorough enforcement, accurate reporting, and accountability to ensure Florida’s fisheries remain healthy and sustainable for everyone.” Read more

Fishing, Poachers

Whitetails Unlimited Offers Whitetail Watch Signs

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Whitetail Watch is an anti-poaching initiative created by Whitetails Unlimited to improve hunter/landowner relations and reduce the crime of poaching. To curb this illegal activity, participating landowners will post Whitetail Watch signs on their property. These signs will serve as visible reminders to poachers that citizens are on the watch and suspicious activity will be reported to the wildlife law enforcement.

Whitetail Watch property signs are made from PVC, measuring 11.25 inches on a side, and are white with red and black printing. Decals matching the sign, measuring 3.5 inches on a side, are also available. The signs and decals are suitable for use anywhere in the United States.

The recommended posting distance for Whitetail Watch signs is one sign for every 300 feet of road frontage or four signs per 40 acres.

To order complimentary Whitetail Watch signs or decals, please call Whitetails Unlimited National Headquarters at 920.743.6777 or send an email to nh@whitetailsunlimited.com. Read more

Hunting, Poachers, Wildlife

Harrison Men Plead Guilty to Multiple Wildlife Violations in Three Montana Counties

Two men from Harrison were convicted of multiple hunting violations in Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin counties.

Jeremy Michael Hill and Ryan Francis McGuire faced several charges after the two men were found to have killed multiple deer illegally over several years.

Game wardens with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted a yearlong investigation into Hill and McGuire following a report from a concerned witness about a wasted whitetail buck found in Hill’s possession. The investigation revealed evidence that Hill, over a three-year period, killed multiple antlered deer each year. Hill also used hunting licenses issued to family members to tag illegally harvested deer.

McGuire aided and abetted Hill as they hunted deer from a vehicle after legal shooting hours.

Their charges included unlawful possession of a game animal, hunting or killing overlimit on deer, unlawful hunting from a public highway, unlawful hunting from a vehicle, unlawful use of equipment while hunting (spotlighting), waste of a game animal, failure to obtain landowner permission for hunting, and failing to validate a general deer license.

Hill was sentenced to a 36-month hunting and fishing privilege suspension and fines totaling $2,980. McGuire was sentenced to a 24-month privilege suspension and fines totaling $670. Montana is part of the interstate wildlife violator compact where violators who lose privileges in one state lose them in all 50 states. Read more

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Clinton County man faces 50 counts of firearm and wildlife violations

July 27, 2026
Contact: 1st Lt. Richard Nickols, 517-284-4747

dead deer in a corn fieldThomas House, 26, was arraigned Thursday, July 23, in 65A District Court in St. Johns on 50 counts of combined firearm and wildlife violations.

House lived in Elsie when the violations occurred and now resides in St. Johns.

The Clinton County man was charged with:

  • Felony weapons offenses (five counts).
  • Reckless use of a firearm (one count).
  • Possessing an uncased firearm in a vehicle (three counts).
  • Taking game from a vehicle (six counts).
  • Shining with a weapon in possession (six counts).
  • Wildlife Conservation Order violations, including taking game without a license, improper method of take and taking game out of season (29 counts).

“This case demonstrates the importance of the public’s partnership with conservation officers,” said Capt. David Malloch, DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor. “A tip to the Report All Poaching hotline, combined with the officers’ thorough and lengthy investigation, helped hold an individual accountable for their actions that showed a blatant disregard for wildlife and hunting laws. We encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious natural resources activity to report it immediately. We all play a role in protecting our natural resources.”

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers received a tip through the DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline Oct. 13, 2025, regarding a person shooting deer from a vehicle at night using a suppressed semiautomatic rifle.

The tip stated that the illegal hunting activity occurred multiple times in northern Clinton County and southern Gratiot County.

Conservation officers conducted a lengthy investigation, which included interviews and search warrants issued by the Clinton County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation confirmed that between April 25, 2025, and Nov. 25, 2025, House would drive around at night, shining and shooting deer from his vehicle and then leaving the deer to rot, unharvested.

Additionally, House used his cellphone to record several videos and photographs of himself shooting and killing the deer, along with the deer lying on the ground. Read more

Poachers

Saint Maries, Idaho Trio Sentenced in North Idaho Deer Poaching Case

On May 11, the final sentencing was issued for one of three individuals involved in the unlawful killing of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks in North Idaho during November 2024.

The individuals involved in the case were Will Clark, Lucas Mitchell and Laura Willis.

Sentencing for Mitchell (Feb. 2026) included:

  • $17,200 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
  • $525 in processing fees (shared with Clark)
  • All associated court costs
  • Seven months in county jail
  • Five years of supervised probation
  • Ten-year hunting license revocation

Sentencing for Clark (April 2026) included:

  • $17,200 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
  • $525 in processing fees (shared with Mitchell)
  • All associated court costs
  • Zero to four years in prison—currently incarcerated
  • Ten-year hunting license revocation

Sentencing for Willis (May 2026) included:

  • $6,000 in restitution (jointly shared among three individuals)
  • $150 in processing fees
  • All associated court costs
  • $200 fine
  • One year of unsupervised probation
  • One-year hunting license revocation

Details of the case Read more

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Tips Lead to Poaching Arrests in Southern Indiana (Clark/Jefferson Counties)

Information provided by concerned citizens has led to multiple poaching and criminal charges after an extensive investigation conducted by Indiana Conservation Officers.

In December 2025, Indiana Conservation Officers received a report alleging that Woodrow Snyder, 28, of Charlestown, had been shooting multiple deer at night from a motor vehicle.

On the morning of Dec. 18, 2025, Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies and Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a complaint of shots fired. Officers conducted a traffic stop on a pickup truck driven by Snyder. Inside the truck, officers discovered multiple dead deer, and several discarded firearms were located along the roadside. Snyder’s passenger was arrested at the scene, and the vehicle was seized as evidence.

Over the following weeks, Indiana Conservation Officers executed several search warrants, collected extensive physical and digital evidence, and conducted numerous interviews with witnesses and suspects. The investigation revealed evidence indicating that Snyder, with the assistance of several accomplices, allegedly killed more than 30 white-tailed deer during the 2025 fall and winter seasons.

After officers submitted their findings, the Clark and Jefferson County prosecutor’s offices issued warrants for Snyder’s arrest. He was taken into custody on June 4, and booked into the Clark County Jail.

Snyder is facing the following charges:

• Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony)
• Illegal Sale of Wildlife (Level 6 Felony)
• Unlawful Taking of Deer (Class B Misdemeanor)
• Jacklighting (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Hunting Without a License (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Hunting with the Aid of a Motor Vehicle (Class C Misdemeanor)
• Hunting Without Consent of a Landowner (Class C Misdemeanor) Read more

Poachers

Pondera County, Montana Man Sentenced for Poaching Trophy Deer

Photo courtesy of Montana. Fish, Wildlife and Parks

A Pondera County man has been sentenced to fines and license revocation for poaching a trophy white-tailed buck in 2025.

Tony Zimbelman, age 23, initially claimed to have shot the deer with archery equipment during archery season. Acting on a tip from a concerned citizen, Montana game wardens contacted Zimbelman who admitted to shooting the deer with a rifle on the day before the archery season opened in September 2025. The deer was a large buck with a Boone & Crockett score of 182.

On March 23, 2026, Zimbelman reached a plea agreement in Montana Ninth Judicial Court for Misdemeanor Unlawful Possession of Wildlife, and was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended, along with fines and restitution totaling $3,000. His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were also revoked for two years.

“This case came about because of an initial tip from a concerned sportsman, and the assistance and support from people like that are incredibly valuable to us,” said game warden sergeant Mike Krings who led the investigation. “Private citizens act as extra eyes and ears in the field for game wardens and help us preserve fair chase opportunities for the vast majority of Montana hunters who do things the right way.” Read more

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