Unlawful: Ducks in Montana Being Found Shot With Blow Darts

Imagine finding ducks in distress, shot with blow darts. That’s happening in a Montana city, and locals are stepping up to help.

INFORMATION BEING SOUGHT

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that game wardens are seeking the public’s help in gathering information on a series of potentially related instances of ducks shot with blow darts in Billings.

Wardens responded to and verified multiple complaints from the public of ducks that had been shot and injured with a blow dart gun in both 2025 and 2026.  The incidents took place at the Shiloh Conservation Ponds and Rose Park.

Ducks can only be lawfully killed/harvested during the established fall hunting season, and it is unlawful to hunt within city limits. Also, blow darts are not a lawful means of take for migratory birds in Montana. Migratory birds, including ducks, may only be taken with long, recurve or compound bows and arrows, shotguns not larger than 10 gauge, or by falconry.

READ MORE: Popular Western Montana Pond Scores Some FWP Cash For Upgrades

A CRUEL PRACTICE

Blow darts can penetrate deep into a duck's skin. While Montana FWP did not indicate any deaths being reported as a result of the darts, they did emphasize that the birds could potentially be in severe pain and their quality of life jeopardized.

REWARD FOR INFORMATION BEING OFFERED

If you're dumb enough to do it, you're dumb enough to brag about it. Anyone with possible information about this is encouraged to visit the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks TIP-MONT Page to report any information they might have. Those who report information may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.