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Photo Credit: harrycollinsphotography
You’re not going to believe this one! It started in August of 2021 when FWP discovered several large fish at Giant Springs fish hatchery display pond had been speared. Several of the dead fish were left at the scene and other survivors were later euthanized. Sounds like a weird instance right?
Later in September wardens got a report that someone had shot and abandoned a bull elk on a ranch near Cascade. The head and the antlers were removed and the body was left to rot. During the course of the investigation wardens had discovered that three bull elk and one black bear had been taken illegally as well. Tips from the public led wardens to Richard Van Meter and Ty Robert Lewis, who confessed to the crimes.
The case took two years and each were convicted with Lewis paying $16,000 in fines and Van Meter paying $8000 in fines. Both men will lose their privilege to legally hunt, fish and trap for 20 years. This is one of the stiffer penalties we’ve seen in the last several years for poaching incidences.
Remember, if you have a tip on a wildlife violation you’re encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov for up to a $1000 reward for information leading to a conviction.
How does taking away a poacher’s right to hunt or fish solve anything?! Lock them up in prison for 10 years!!
This should not be considered a serious penalty. Fines only (no jail time) and loss of hunting privileges (which mean nothing to poachers who don’t care about licenses, seasons, bag limits, legal methods, etc). Until the judicial system grows a spine and starts imposing stiff jail sentences, these crimes will continue unabated. This wasn’t someone who just made an honest mistake, these were intentional serial poachers. Who knows what else they’ve done but got away with it.
Kudos to the game wardens who put this case together, I’m sure it involved a lot of work. But their hard work was mostly for naught. Fines should have been triple this amount and serious jail time should have been imposed. I don’t know about Montana, but in Colorado, taking just the head, antlers, horns etc. and abandoning the carcass is one of the few felony offenses for game laws. Once again a slap on the wrist for a serious poaching offense(s).