Harsh Sentence Handed Down In Ugly Montana Poaching Crimes

Imagine being banned for life from the very activities you love. One man's illegal hunting saga raises questions about wildlife conservation and respect for the law.

LIFETIME LOSS OF PRIVILEGES

In a press release, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens report that Jerry “Trey” Truitt of Tennessee was recently sentenced for wildlife poaching crimes committed in Ravalli County, resulting in a lifetime loss of hunting and fishing privileges. Truitt also had a prior history of poaching convictions in Ravalli and Lake Counties.

The most recent case concluded April 2 in Ravalli County Justice Court where Truitt pleaded no contest on five criminal counts related to poaching crimes he committed in 2024 and 2025. Truitt was convicted on two counts of unlawful possession of wildlife (turkey and sandhill crane), one count of hunting without a license, one count of criminal trespass, and one count of hunting during a closed season. Truitt hunted for turkeys without a license and killed a sandhill crane in Ravalli County, where there is not a season for cranes.

WHERE IT BEGAN

Mr. Truitt was originally convicted in Ravalli County Justice Court in April, 2025, on two counts of hunting without a license and two counts of unlawful possession of a game animal. He killed an antlerless elk and antlerless white-tailed deer in West Fork of the Bitterroot without a license.

Also in 2025, Truitt also pleaded guilty in Lake County Justice Court for obstruction of justice, using a license issued to another person, and violation of Commission rules and regulations related to unlawfully hunting waterfowl on Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area in 2024.

READ MORE: Unlawful: Ducks in Montana Being Found Shot With Blow Darts

Ravalli County Game Wardens Taylor Gagnon and Shane Yaskus, and Warden Sergeant Lou Royce, led the Ravalli County investigations, and Warden Jake Pickens led the Lake County case. The earlier cases resulted in fines and restitution owed and some loss of hunting and fishing privileges, with the final sentencing bumping that into a lifetime loss.

Congratulations to those game wardens for a vigilant team effort.