A Trout Creek couple is facing stiff fines and hunting restrictions after Montana wardens began an investigation into accusations of improper purchase of resident licenses. According to FWP spokesman Dillon Tabish, the case got much larger.

‘It evolved into a much larger case that included illegally hunting game animals over bait and using a very significant amount of supplemental feeding to attract game animals,” said Tabish. “Our investigator Brian Summers discovered and said this was one of the most severe cases of providing supplemental feed to wildlife that he has encountered in his 32 year career.”

Tabish says multiple species were killed illegally.

“There was a bull elk that was shot on a resident license that was confiscated, a mule deer buck that was shot on a residence license that was confiscated, a white tail buck and a black bear that was shot,” Tabish said. “The animals were killed anywhere between 2012 up through 2015. Mr. Ricks was charged with 56 citations in both Sanders and Gallatin County.”

Dylan Ricks entered a plea agreement with fines totaling over 10,000 dollars, his wife, Cheryl Ricks entered a plea agreement with fines over $3,000, she faced 11 citations.

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