The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks logo. (Courtesy Montana FWP)

Investigations into two separate poaching cases by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have led to recent charges against four men, the department said in a series of press releases last week.

A special prosecutor filed charges against three Big Horn County men in Montana's 22nd Judicial District Court alleging the unlawful killing of several bull elk and one mule deer near Hardin between 2022 and 2023.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials began investigating the case after receiving reports about a headless elk carcass in an area that no one had permission to hunt. Wardens with the department found that the group of individuals had allegedly killed and possessed several bull elk in Hunting District 702 during a closed season and without landowner permission. A mule deer buck was also killed without hunting licenses or landowner permission, according to the department's press release.

Montana wardens executed multiple search warrants and seized several mounts of allegedly illegally killed deer and elk.

The three individuals are charged with 33 total charges, including 10 felony charges and 23 misdemeanor charges.

The investigation was in partnership with Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks also announced last week that a North Dakota man has also been charged in Fergus County District Court for a series of wildlife violations including allegedly killing two bull elk last November.

According to a press release, the man is accused of multiple misdemeanor and felony charges after Montana game wardens investigated reports he killed two bull elk in Hunting District 417 without proper permits. He allegedly hid and abandoned one elk carcass after being questions by wardens and was unable to retrieve another carcass after killing a bull elk on private land. He was also charged with driving off-road on state land.

The North Dakota man faces potential penalties including more than $60,000 in fines and restitution, jail time, and loss of privileges to hunt, fish and trap.

FWP officials say that most poaching cases are investigated following tips from the public. Anyone with possible information about crimes against fish, wildlife or state land resources is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov or to contact a game warden in your area directly. Individuals may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Two separate poaching cases lead to charges against against four individuals