BILLINGS, Mont. — Three members of the Montana Army National Guard are facing charges of trespassing after they allegedly landed a Black Hawk helicopter on a privately owned ranch and collected elk antlers, before taking off again, according to authorities.
An eyewitness observed the helicopter’s landing on May 4, and the property owner subsequently reported the incident to the authorities, as explained by Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg. This led to the identification of the involved National Guard members.
The guardsmen were engaged in a training exercise, flying from Billings to Helena, which is Montana’s state capital, according to Major Ryan Finnegan of the Montana National Guard. During their stop, they briefly landed in a pasture nestled in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains. There, they collected two antlers and an older elk skull with antlers intact, Sheriff Ronneberg confirmed.
In the western United States, including Montana, antlers are a sought-after commodity as they regrow and fall off male elk annually. Such antlers can be sold by weight and are often taken as memorabilia. The items taken by the guardsmen from the ranch had an estimated value between $300 and $400, and they have since been handed over to a state game warden.
Instances of individuals trespassing onto private lands to retrieve antlers are not unusual in this region. Ronneberg called this incident “odd,” noting that most trespassers typically walk onto private property rather than landing a helicopter. Citations issued to the guardsmen indicated they had entered clearly posted private property to collect antlers. Moreover, the mention of a military helicopter landing added another layer to the allegations.
Authorities are debating whether to press any further charges surrounding the taking of the antlers, as the property’s ownership remains ambiguous, Sheriff Ronneberg said. Legal deliberations are ongoing, focusing on whether the antlers legally belonged to the ranch owner.
An attorney representing one of the involved guardsmen, Michael Vincent Bray, emphasized that all of the accused have a long history of serving their nation honorably and are considered “innocent until proven guilty.”
According to Greg Lemon from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, guardsmen Perry Wray Woodland and Deni Lynn Draper have not made any public comments. They are facing misdemeanor trespass charges, which carry a penalty of $185, although court appearances are not mandatory.
Legally, the removal of antlers from state land is allowed in Montana with the purchase of an $8 conservation license. The head of the Montana National Guard, Adjutant General J. Peter Hronek, has stated that he is aware of the incident and is looking into it further. “If these allegations are confirmed, appropriate disciplinary or administrative measures will be enforced,” Hronek stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public trust and the integrity of military equipment usage.
Finnegan mentioned that a Montana National Guard liaison has contacted the ranch owner to discuss the matter further and arrange the return of the confiscated items.