Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating multiple incidents of ducks shot with blow darts at Shiloh Conservation Ponds and Rose Park in Billings. Blow darts are not a lawful means of taking migratory birds in Montana. The public is encouraged to report information to tipmont.mt.gov for potential rewards up to $1,000.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating the killing of a mule deer fawn with a blow dart in Roundup on March 23, 2026. Blow darts are not a lawful means of take for deer in Montana, and the public is encouraged to report information to tipmont.mt.gov for a potential $1,000 reward.
Derek Dermyer, 37, of Washington Township, was sentenced to 30-180 days in jail after being found guilty of fishing without a license and fishing while licenses were revoked. As a habitual offender with previous DNR violations, Dermyer received $2,980 in fines and a seven-year fishing license revocation.
Rebecca Dorr, a missing Brunswick woman last seen in January, was located deceased on March 21st by the Maine Warden Service and Maine Association for Search and Rescue. The Brunswick Police Department, Maine Warden Service, MESARD, and MASAR conducted an extensive search complicated by deep snow. Her death is not considered suspicious.
Indiana Conservation Officers rescued two people from floodwater in Pike County after they attempted to drive through rising water. The Pike County Sheriff's Department deployed a drone to locate the victims along River Road near Dodge City, and conservation officers transported both subjects to safety by boat.
An Indiana Conservation Officer arrested Naithan Murphy, 30, of St. Louis, after a traffic stop near U.S. 41 and Interstate 64 revealed over 300 methamphetamine pills, marijuana, digital scales, and a loaded handgun. Murphy was charged with felony dealing of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and reckless driving.
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks game wardens in Region 4 reported five illegally harvested mountain lions during the 2025 general big game season. Three hunters purchased licenses after shooting the lions and were cited; fines and restitution totaled $3,605. Game Warden Sergeant Trent Farmer emphasized hunters must buy licenses before the season begins.
Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the bodies of Kasee Allman, 21, and Jesse Brock, 35, from the East Fork of the White River in Lawrence County after a multi-day search. The pair was located in their pickup truck in approximately 8 feet of water near Earl Road and Lawrenceport Road.
Indiana Conservation Officers arrested Crystal Sheets, 45, of Birdseye, after investigating illegal paddlefish snagging at Patoka Lake spillway on February 16. Sheets was found in unlawful possession of paddlefish and charged with misdemeanor unlawful possession. Paddlefish, an ancient native Indiana species with diminishing population, is illegal for sport fishing except on the Ohio River with a roe harvester's license.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Enforcement is investigating the poaching of a bull elk shot from a road in Custer National Forest southwest of Broadus on February 21. FWP Region 7 Warden Kyle Queer is leading the investigation. Tipsters may receive up to $1,000.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife concluded Operation Donor Deer, resulting in 35 convictions for 55 violations. Rodney Shields, owner of Rod's Custom Deer Processing, pleaded guilty to felony charges including illegal venison sales and theft by deception, receiving $16,500 in restitution and suspended jail time.
Pennsylvania's 37th Class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation graduated 24 new State Game Wardens on January 31st. Notable graduates include Katherine Nealen (academics award), Adam Beinhauer (EVOC driving award), Michael Shatalov (marksmanship award), and David Kennedy (fitness award and Life Saving Award for rescuing a hiker on the Appalachian Trail).
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating an unlawfully killed bull elk found on private property off Horsethief Road, approximately 13 miles west of Roundup, between January 30 and February 1. Only the head and backstraps were removed, with all other meat wasted. Game warden Randy Hutzenbiler is seeking public information and offering rewards up to $1,000.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is investigating the illegal killing of a bull moose found along Middle Cottonwood Trail near Bozeman on January 28. The moose carcass had a single fatal bullet wound. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is investigating the illegal introduction of northern pike into Pine Grove Pond in Kalispell, a popular family fishing site. A pike was caught on January 29, and FWP is offering up to $1,000 in rewards, with Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited pledging $2,000 and Flathead Wildlife, Inc. pledging $500 for information about the illegal introduction.
The Maine Warden Service and Maine Association of Search and Rescue (MASAR) are searching for 19-year-old Chance Lauer, missing since January 19th from Orchard Trail Apartments in Orono. Ground searches began with Maine Warden Service, MASAR, and ten K9 units from the Maine Warden Service and Maine Search and Rescue Dogs (MESARD).
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks increased the reward to $31,000 for information on an illegally killed collared wolf near Gardiner. The Large Carnivore Fund and Wolves of the Rockies contributed $30,000 to the initial $1,000 reward. Game wardens believe the wolf was killed around December 25 in wolf management unit 313.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Protection has a new director. Richard “Rod” Danley, who has worked for the Game Commission for more than 25 years, started in the role Sept. 27, overseeing and directing the agency’s law-enforcement operations.
Two Washington men were charged on Dec. 11 with various wildlife violations in connection with the alleged unlawful take of a trophy bull moose in Idaho. The moose was killed along the Idaho–Washington border near the town of Twin Lakes.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking the public’s help in gathering information on four whitetail bucks that were dumped on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) property between Bridger and Belfy in Carbon County. Only the heads were removed from the bucks and all meat was wasted.