Montana Officials Smack 6 Suspects for Elk and Mule Deer Poaching Scheme 👮

In the event that the weekend wasn’t quite long enough for you, here’s to hoping that your favorite dispatch from the outdoor world can give you 5-or-so minutes to prep yourself for yet another week.

So, without further adieu, let’s grab that coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past few days. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

• Smack down - Montana wardens go cross-border in massive poaching case 👮

• Price hike - Mizzou is thinking of raising hunting and fishing license fees 💵

• Lottery open - Louisiana’s bear lotto opens today 🎫

• Brown bear attack - Victim is in stable condition in Anchorage 🐻

• Shallow water chase - This ray pulls out all the stops to avoid being a shark’s lunch 🦈 

HOPE THE JUDGE IS HARD ON THEM AS WELL
MONTANA OFFICIALS SMACK 6 SUSPECTS FOR MULTI-YEAR ELK AND MULE DEER POACHING SCHEME

A half dozen suspects have been hit with a plethora of charges after Montana wardens uncovered an illegal killing spree that took place over a four-year period. Between the years of 2020 and 2024, six individuals poached numerous elk and mule deer resulting in 34 total charges and nearly a dozen trophy mounts being confiscated.

A confidential informant served as the canary in the coal mine after alerting Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens about a group of both residents and non-residents who were believed to be illegally taking large game in the Bull Mountains. The confidential tipster spurred a months-long investigation that led to the discovery of multiple large elk that were killed in Hunting District 590 with the necessary 590-20 elk permit. Additionally, the wardens were also able to uncover a number of illegal large mule deer killings, ballooning the case into Washington state as well…

QUICK HITS // ^{_{FROM AROUND THE WEB}}

Missouri Department of Conservation proposes permit fee hikes for 2026: The Missouri Department of Conservation is proposing a comprehensive adjustment to hunting, fishing, and trapping permit fees beginning in 2026, aimed at addressing rising operational costs and aligning certain nonresident fees with those in neighboring states. Read the full story.

Louisiana Brings Back Black Bear Hunting Permits For 2025: The Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery will run from July 28 through August 28, 2025. Louisiana residents can apply for a chance at one of 26 permits that will be issued. (That's up from 11 last year.) Read the full story.

One person stable after Saturday Eagle River bear attack: One person is stable after a bear attack in Eagle River Saturday, according to Timothy Garnett, a park ranger with the Chugach State Park. He said the person was attacked by a brown bear that had cubs near Barbara Falls around 10 a.m.  Read the full story.

Ontario court fines hunter for obstructing a conservation officer, refusing inspection: A northern Ontario man has been fined after failing to cooperate with a conservation officer during a hunting inspection northwest of Thunder Bay last fall. Read the full story.

Review proposed hunt recommendations for Arizona’s 2026 turkey, bison seasons: The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s proposed recommendations for the 2026 spring and fall seasons for turkey and bison are available for review. Read the full story.

VIDEO // ^{_{SOME THINGS JUST HAVE TO BE SEEN}}

🐟 One hell of a shallow water chase. Watch as this hammerhead goes into the flats looking to dine on this ray who obviously has other plans.

Shake and bake, buddy…

Landing softly into a new week.

📸 : @kellywasenmillerphotography

Oh, and one more thing…