Result of a major poaching investigations, Operation Rosebud and Operation Palmetto-Peach, in eastern Montana.

Poachers Pay The Price

Recent Typical Cases

Poachers are targeting Montana's trophy wildlife for commercial profit.

FWP poaching investigations have gone from just a handful in the 1990s to about 40 new cases a year. Here are some recent cases:

Commercial Poacher Fined, Jailed, Can Never Hunt Again in Montana

• A call to 1-800-TIP-MONT led to an investigation.
• John "Dan" McDonald conducted a commercial poaching ring out of his ranch near Gardiner more than 10 years.
• More than 40 bull elk, two mule deer, a mountain lion and a black bear were poached by about 30 of McDonald's associates, friends, relatives or employees from five states, including Montana.
• Two poachers from California were placed on two years probation and ordered to pay $2,500 in fines and $24,000 in restitution to the State of Montana.
• The two poachers also lost their privileges to hunt, fish, and trap in Montana and 19 other states for five years.
• Investigators pursued charges against 12 others from four different states and Australia who are believed to have poached at least 17 bull elk.
• Meanwhile, in a plea agreement, McDonald was sentenced to a year in federal prison and two years of supervised release.
• McDonald was fined $25,000, and ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution to the State of Montana.
• McDonald lost his privileges to hunt, fish and trap for life in Montana and 19 other states.

Poacher Won't Take Cure

• A call to 1-800-TIP-MONT led to an investigation in 2000.
• A physician from Aberdeen, South Dakota, Dr. R. Michael Kuglitsch, along with several friends, all physicians, poached deer in eastern Montana's Powder River County.
• An investigation led to arrests and charges of poaching and wasting game against three doctors and a minor. Eventual penalties included more than $5,000 in fines and loss of hunting privileges in Montana for a total of 14 years.
• Another call to 1-800-TIP-MONT was made 2004.
• Dr. Kuglitsch reportedly had poached more mule deer on his Powder River ranch and was planning to poach again in 2004, along with an associate from Butte.
• Investigators eventually charged Dr. Kuglitsch's group with killing two mule deer does, in addition to killing a mule deer buck without permission on a neighboring ranch. He was then ordered to pay $2,300 in fines and restitution to the State of Montana and lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges until the year 2020 and was under house arrest for five days.
• Further investigations in South Dakota led to a number of other poaching charges. Dr. Kuglitsch was arrested and posted bond on those violations. The case is before the court in Spink County.

Poaching Ring Stretched From Montana to Pennsylvania

• A hunter field check in eastern Montana led to a license-fraud investigation.
• Dean Ruth conducted a professional poaching ring out of Missoula County in Montana and in Pennsylvania for at least 10 years.
• In Montana, more than 100 trophy-class mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, antelope, moose, mountain lions, and black bears where poached by Ruth and eight others from Montana and Pennsylvania.
• In all, seven Ruth associates were ordered to pay more than $20,000 in state fines and in restitution to the State of Montana.
• Several defendants were sentenced to jail or prison.
• Meanwhile, Ruth and his wife Renita, accused of using spotlights and silencers, were ordered to pay $28,000 in state fines and restitution to the State of Montana.
• Dean Ruth was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 15 years suspended. He also lost for life his privileges to hunt, fish and trap in Montana.
• Upon sentencing the judge assured the public that the defendants would never again legally possess firearms or archery equipment.

Operation Rosebud Leads to Largest Poaching Fine in Montana History

Result of a major poaching investigation, Operation Rosebud, in eastern Montana.

• A call to 1-800-TIP-MONT led to an investigation.
• Several local people conducted a commercial poaching ring out of Rosebud County for about eight years.
• More than 90 animals, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, and black bear where poached by the leaders of the ring and 53 associates from 10 states.
• In all, 32 poachers were ordered to pay more than $79,800 in fines and $68,000 in restitution to the State of Montana.
• The courts placed the poachers on a total of 15 years probation and revoked hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for a total of 49 years.
• Meanwhile, Fredrick Clark, one of the ring leaders accused of violating the federal Lacy Act, was fined $50,000, and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution. The fines were the largest ever imposed on a poacher in Montana.
• Clark lost his privileges to hunt, fish and trap in Montana for three years and lost his privileges to hunt worldwide for three years.