What Makes Montana A Target For Poachers?

Friday, September 21, 2007
Hunting

This article was Archived on Sunday, October 21, 2007

Montana is known for its wide open spaces, low population, and abundant fish and wildlife. While "opportunistic"  violations remain a concern among game wardens, the larger and growing threat to wildlife is organized, planned, illegal activity.  The increase in organized poaching is fueled by:

extensive national and international markets fed by commercial poachers and the illegal trade in trophy antlers and mounts;

opportunities to collect thousands of dollars in the course of these crimes;

the relative ease of connecting and communicating with others seeking to illegally kill trophy-sized animals for money; and

more individuals acting on an obsession to illegally kill the biggest and best trophy-sized animals.

In many cases, the carcass is often left and wasted by poachers who decapitate the animal for the head and antlers.

Whether it is this hunting season or any other time of the year, if you see or learn about any illegal or suspicious activities involving Montana’s fish, wildlife, state parks or pulbic lands, please call 1-800-TIP-MONT. For more information, visit FWP’s Poaching web page.