By MATTHEW BROWN
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Three Montana Military Nationwide Guard members face trespassing expenses after authorities mentioned they landed a Black Hawk helicopter in a mountain pasture on a non-public ranch to take a number of elk antlers earlier than flying away.
A witness noticed the Might 4 touchdown and the one who owns the property reported it to officers, who tracked down the three guard members, Candy Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg mentioned Thursday.
The guardsmen had been on a coaching flight from town of Billings to Helena, the state capital, mentioned Main Ryan Finnegan with the Montana Nationwide Guard. The helicopter landed briefly within the pasture situated within the foothills of the Loopy Mountains, the place the crew members picked up two particular person antlers and an outdated elk cranium with antlers nonetheless hooked up, the sheriff mentioned.
Elk antlers — which develop and drop off male animals yearly — are extremely prized and may be offered by the pound. Additionally they are collected from the wild as keepsakes.
The antlers and cranium taken by the guardsmen have been value a mixed $300 to $400, in keeping with Ronneberg. They have been later turned over to a state recreation warden.
Trespassers taking antlers from non-public land will not be unusual in Montana and different western states.
“This an odd one,” Ronneberg mentioned. “Usually somebody parks on the side of the road and crosses into private ground and picks up a shed,” he mentioned, referring to an antler that’s been shed by an elk.
Citations issued to 2 of the guardsmen mentioned they “entered posted private property that was posted as trespassing for the purpose of elk antler removal.” The quotation for the third once more talked about trespassing and likewise that “subject landed military helicopter on private property.”
The Candy Grass County Lawyer and Sheriff’s Workplace are contemplating extra expenses associated to the taking of the antlers themselves however no choice has been made, Ronneberg mentioned. He mentioned these discussions heart on whether or not the antlers have been the property of the landowners.
Reached on Thursday by phone, one of many three guardsmen, Michael Vincent Bray of East Helena, Montana, referred inquiries to his legal professional, who didn’t instantly reply to a message in search of remark. The opposite two guardsmen — Perry Wray Woodland of Nice Falls and Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy — couldn’t be reached.
They face expenses of prison misdemeanor trespass, which comes with a $185 advantageous, and would not have to look in courtroom, mentioned Greg Lemon with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Taking antlers from state-owned land is authorized in Montana for individuals with an $8 state conservation license, Lemon mentioned.
Montana Nationwide Guard Adjutant Basic J. Peter Hronek mentioned in a press release he was conscious of the case and it was being investigated.
“Appropriate adverse and/or administrative action will take place if the allegations are determined to be true,” Hronek mentioned. “Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana.”
Finnegan mentioned a Montana Nationwide Guard consultant reached out to the proprietor of the ranch “to provide an update and coordinate for an in person return of the items.”
Initially Printed: Might 15, 2025 at 7:26 PM EDT
