Major Montana Poaching Crackdown! Sentencing for Six Hunters

From majestic elk to mule deer, the story behind recent hunting violations reminds us just how important it is to respect our wildlife.

As far as the severity of the sentences, we think we know what the reactions of a lot of Montana hunters would be. But, based on the crimes, you be the judge - even though you don't get to be the judge.

GUILTY PLEAS

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that six men from Montana (2) and Washington (4) pleaded guilty in Musselshell County Justice Court to unlawfully killing bull elk and mule deer bucks near Roundup, Montana.

The investigation began with information provided to Montana FWP wardens by a confidential informant. After an extensive investigation, wardens found that the group of both residents and nonresidents killed several large bull elk without the required elk permit and also killed several large mule deer without hunting licenses.

MULTIPLE MOUNTS, MULTIPLE CHARGES

The violations occurred between 2020 all the way to 2024.  During the investigation, Montana wardens worked with wardens in Washington State who seized several mounts of unlawfully killed elk and deer. Montana wardens also seized multiple elk and deer mounts in Montana. In total, 11 mounts were seized as evidence in the investigation, and a total of 34 charges and 13 warnings were issued by FWP wardens.

WHO WAS SENTENCED, WHAT WERE THEIR PENALTIES

Sentences came to a combined total of $22,890 in fines, and license revocations totaling 28 years.

Here are the six hunters sentenced, their fines and license suspensions:

>Ben Valadez - Tri Cities, WA, $8,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation.

>Devon Rea – Roundup, MT, $4,275 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation.

>Kyle Steiling – Tri Cities, WA, $3,640 in fines and restitution, and a 4-year license revocation.

>Mitch Miller – Roundup, MT, $3,050 in fines and restitution, and an 8-year license revocation.

>Noa Valadez – Tri Cities, WA, $2,070 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation.

>Johnny Lopez – Tri Cities, WA, $1,805 in fines and restitution, and a 2-year license revocation.

READ MORE: Seniors 75 And Older Get Expanded Hunting Privileges In Montana

Montana FWP also wanted to make sure that we thanked, on their behalf, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, the Billings Police Department, and the Musselshell County Attorney’s Office for their assistance. But most of all, thanks to the public, since like in so many other cases, it was their tips that initially sparked their investigation.