Unlawful killing: poaching incidents increase over years
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With hunting season in full swing, hunters need to be aware of regulations that come with the sport. Of all the regulations, poaching, or the illegal killing of fish and wildlife, is an ever-growing issue in Montana. According to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks statistics, poaching grew from about 20 violations in the 1990s to approximately 40 new cases a year currently. This could be due to many factors, such as Montana’s excellent hunting and fishing destinations, combined with many hunters coming from out-of-state to experience these world-renowned opportunities.
According to the Montana FWP website, poachers are criminals who kill for the thrill of killing, to lash out at wildlife laws and for profit, not down-on-their-luck people trying to feed their families. They include residents and non-residents, who kill wildlife any way, time and place possible.
According to CSKT Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation Division Manager Tom McDonald, common reasons poaching occurs are ego gratification, the expense of animal tags, large profits from the sale of trophy animals, or to use a part of the animal to complete another animal mount.
“It’s purely trophy or animal sale,” McDonald said. “They can sell it for more than the fine costs. Some people like big game mounts.”
Plagued by pneumonia and predation of mountain lions and wolves in recent years, big horn sheep have become a big concern for state and tribal game wardens. To combat big horn poaching, all horns are plugged with title documentation drilled inside.
According to McDonald, each case is unique, resulting in different penalties for every case. The most basic penalty is to be cited in state court, pay a subsequent fine, and lose hunting privileges, depending on the poacher and previous infraction records.
“In some ways the penalties should be more severe,” McDonald said.
Special regulations apply on the Flathead Reservation, where non-tribal members are prohibited from collecting any antlers, and only tribal members can legally hunt big game.
Illegal collecting of antlers is typically an issue the CSKT FWRC sees more of in the spring, which can disturb the animals during spring calving, forcing them to burn unnecessary calories.
“To give birth, they need to be healthy,” McDonald said. “(A disruption) may mean life or death.”
The only game legal for non-tribal members on the Flathead Indian Reservation are birds such as pheasant, gray partridge and waterfowl.
To notify Montana FWP of a poaching incident, call 1-800-TIP-MONT.
