Two high school-aged males are guilty of poaching ten mule deer in McCone County, Montana. The incidents occurred in Region 6 and took place on Oct. 15, 2017 before the opening of general deer season. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP), the deer were killed with “a shotgun using loads typically used for pheasants.” All of the deer were discovered on a two-mile stretch near road 528 in northern McCone County.

Thanks to multiple tips – and a quick report of the dead deer by a local resident on the morning of Oct. 16 – officers were able to link the two teens to the crimes. According to MFWP, 35 citations were issued, including hunting during a closed season and waste of game animals. One teen was ordered to pay $6,810 in fines and $2,600 in restitution and lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for four years. The other teen was ordered to pay $5,960 in fines and $1,450 in restitution; he lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for the next three years.

In addition to this case, another high school-aged male was recently found guilty of poaching a doe, fawn and whitetail buck near the Milk River. MFWP issued 12 citations, including illegal use of artificial light, hunting during a closed season and waste of game animals. He was ordered to pay $910 in fines and $1,100 in restitution. He was also ordered to take a remedial hunter education course and will lose his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for five years.

“Region 6 Game Wardens hope that cases like these will open the eyes of both youth and adult hunters,” said Glasgow-area Game Warden Todd Tryan in a press release. “If you choose to abuse the privileges to pursue the abundant fish and game that Montana offers, you will be held accountable.”