Rodney E. Smith of Georgia pleaded guilty to four felonies after an FWC investigation revealed he fraudulently sold hunting leases to Florida hunters while incarcerated, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars. Smith was sentenced to eight years in prison on October 28.
Jason Rulon Davis of Corvallis was sentenced to 15 years in prison for 18 wildlife poaching crimes in Ravalli County, including unlawfully possessing trophy mule deer and a mountain lion. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Ravalli County Attorney's Office prosecuted the four-year investigation, resulting in lifetime loss of hunting and fishing privileges and over $50,000 in restitution and fees.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating an illegal mule deer buck shooting that occurred October 31 near Sleeping Child Road southeast of Hamilton. Two adult males in a silver pickup truck shot and killed the deer in Hunting District 270. The public is encouraged to contact game warden Taylor Gagnon at 406-552-9335 or call 1-800-TIP-MONT with information.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens remind hunters that baiting and supplemental feeding of wildlife are prohibited under state law. Regional game warden captain Chris Neu emphasizes that products marketed as wildlife feed are illegal to use while hunting, as baiting disrupts natural animal behavior and increases disease transmission risks.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission deployed 63 officers to Brevard County and 30 to St. Lucie County following severe weather and record rainfall. FWC teams conducted over 56 rescues and completed hundreds of calls for service using specialized equipment including airboats, swamp buggies, and drones.
John Lewton was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $20,000 for violating the federal Lacey Act by trafficking wildlife. Lewton sold reproductive material from a wild bighorn sheep harvested during a 2019 hunt to an alternative livestock ranch, violating Montana law and threatening native wildlife populations.
Michael Jason Letasky and his son Kolton Letasky pleaded guilty to multiple wildlife violations following a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks investigation. Michael faces over $12,000 in fines and a 20-year hunting ban, while Kolton faces over $3,000 in fines and a four-year hunting ban for illegally shooting a trophy bull elk during archery season.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks completed a multi-year investigation into illegal hunting in McCone County led by landowner Kelly Nelson, resulting in 13 suspects charged with over 80 violations, $36,785 in fines, seizure of over 100 animal mounts, and 44 combined years of lost hunting privileges.
Vermont State Game Wardens encourage residents to report fish and wildlife crimes through Operation Game Thief, a joint nonprofit program sponsored by the Vermont Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and administered by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The 24/7 hotline at 1-800-752-5378 offers rewards for information leading to arrests of poachers.
Dakota Jordan of Lander pleaded guilty to eight wildlife charges involving illegal deer, elk, and moose hunting dating to 2021. Circuit Court Judge Jefferson Coombs imposed lifetime hunting revocation, 96 days jail time, $18,000 in fines and restitution, and vehicle forfeiture. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department investigation, led by Game Warden Jon Desonier and deputy Fremont County Attorney Terry Martin, utilized forensic DNA analysis and location data to secure the conviction.
Indiana Conservation Officer Alex Neel responded to a medical emergency at a Cedar Lake restaurant and administered CPR and AED shocks to an unresponsive woman. Working with the Cedar Lake Fire Department, Officer Neel's quick actions helped save the woman's life.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Mule Deer Foundation are offering up to $1,000 in combined rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the illegal killing of a mule deer buck in Game Management Unit 41 near Wellton, Arizona in September 2026.
Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Jeremy Gettys, 38, from Fall Creek in Indianapolis. Gettys was not wearing a personal flotation device when he entered the water. The circumstances of the drowning remain under investigation by conservation officers and the Lawrence Police Department.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and local law enforcement charged 10 people with running an illegal commercial fishing operation. After a four-year undercover investigation, the group is accused of poaching approximately 23,000 pounds of fish and illegally selling over $150,000 worth of fish, shrimp, and turtles, including five protected sea turtles.
Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are seeking information about a bull moose killed near Elk River in Unit 10A on September 14-15, with most of the meat left to waste. Tipsters can contact the Clearwater Regional Office at 208-799-5010 or the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999 and may receive a cash reward.
An 85-year-old man with dementia reported missing on September 28, 2026, was found safe on September 29 in Cheboygan County. The Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, and Search and Rescue personnel located him after following footprints near his vehicle in a remote area.
The Michigan DNR is accepting applications for its Conservation Officer Training Academy starting April 25 through July 15 in Lansing. Qualified applicants must be at least 21 years old and meet law enforcement certification requirements. Sgt. Kyle Bucholtz, training academy commander, encourages current law enforcement officers to apply for this unique opportunity.
Game Warden K9 Lucy and Game Warden Dory Kulis located missing Montville resident Michael McCoy early morning on 9/28/2026 in a wooded area near his home. McCoy, who left on foot with two dogs the previous evening, was found uninjured with one dog after heavy rain and wind. Maine State Police assisted in the search effort.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating an out-of-season deer shooting on private property near Billings on September 20. Witnesses reported seeing two occupants in a white flatbed truck shoot at least one deer off Hillcrest Road. The public is urged to contact game warden Diego O'Brien with information, with rewards up to $1,000 available.
Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement Wade Farrar shares stories from his 23-year career with ODWC about the wildest fishing violations encountered by Oklahoma game wardens, featuring unbelievable excuses and behind-the-scenes insights into enforcement.