Individuals cited in elk, deer poaching cases
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News from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
FLATHEAD RESERVATION —The successful investigation and prosecution of two big game poaching cases on the Flathead Reservation reflects the close and effective working relationship between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens.
Both cases were wrapped up in Lake County Justice Court in late January.
Elk poaching
Tribal Wardens received an elk poaching complaint from the manager of a ranch on Garcon Gulch Road near Hot Springs in early October. The ranch manager learned that a 6x6 bull elk had been shot on the ranch.
Tribal Warden Mike McElderry and State Warden Ron Howell responded to the ranch to investigate and conduct interviews. Through interviews, wardens learned that the elk was shot by a non-member on non-tribal land. All suspects claimed the elk was wounded prior to shooting it. At no point did anyone involved call wardens prior to shooting the elk or after the elk was shot.
The elk meat was cut and wrapped by Robert and Tara Barrows and given away to friends as well as keeping some for themselves. Elk meat packages were marked beef, pork, and dog. Tara Barrows had hidden the elk head at a friend’s house. All the elk meat was confiscated by McElderry and Howell along with the elk head.
After an extensive investigation, all suspects were charged in Lake County Justice Court:
• Reese Hindman (shooter of the elk) of Havre entered a no contest plea to Hunt During A Closed Season and was fined $135 and ordered to pay $250 restitution to CSKT.
• Carol Sharp, Matthew Lonergan, and Robert Barrows, all of Hot Springs, were found guilty after forfeiting bond for violation of FWP Commission Rule/Regulations; they were each fined $135.
• Tara Barrows of Hot Springs was found guilty after forfeiting bond for Unlawful Possession of Game Animal (Bull Elk) and was fined $535 and lost her hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for two years.
Deer poaching
Last November, a concerned citizen heard two gunshots at approximately 3 a.m. east of St. Ignatius and called CSKT Tribal Dispatch. Tribal Officers and Lake County Officers responded. A Tribal Officer observed landowner Andrew Jensen of St. Ignatius on his property with a flashlight and two dead whitetail bucks on the ground.
Officers called Tribal Warden Sergeant Archie Fuqua, who notified State Game Warden Ron Howell. Fuqua and Howell responded to the scene. After conducting an interview, Howell learned that Jensen used a flashlight to spotlight the second deer while shooting it. This incident involved a non-member on non-tribal land.
Jensen was charged in Lake County Justice Court with two counts of hunting during a closed season; two counts of unlawful possession of game, unlawfully taken; and hunting with the aid of artificial light, all misdemeanors.
Jensen pled guilty to all charges and the judge assessed $1,075 in fines; loss of hunting, fishing, trapping privileges for two years; and $1,000 restitution to CSKT ($500 for each deer).
