Yet ANOTHER POS MT outfitter gets busted...
NONYA
7/16/09 12:08am
A three yearlong investigation has led to the conviction of a licensed
Montana outfitter, a licensed Montana guide and several non-resident hunting clients from
Wisconsin, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Quebec, Canada. The defendant’s paid
$5,595.00 in fines, restitution and court costs.
“This case started during the fall of 2005 when three mule deer bucks were found wasted
in a dumpsite near Polson, MT. and a spoiled mule deer buck was brought into Broadus Meats for
processing. All of the deer had tags on them belonging to outfitter sponsored hunting clients of
Powder River Outfitters,”said Lennie Buhmann, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Investigator.
In addition, a two yearlong investigation by Montana Game Wardens discovered several
violations by outfitted clients, including the killing of two antelope without valid licenses, the
loan and transfer of licenses and archery clients hunting without valid archery licenses.
Information about the two unlawfully killed antelope, which were transported over state
lines was turned over to Brian Lakes, Special Agent with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Officer
Lakes issued a violation notice to outfitter Kenneth Greslin for violating the Lacey Act and he
paid a fine of $2,025.00 in United States District Court.
Greslin was also cited in Powder River and Lewis & Clark County Justice Courts for
several violations of an outfitter misrepresenting services to clients and for failing to submit
complete and accurate records to the Montana Board of Outfitters. “Problems
were found within Greslin’s records, but the main problem was that none of the
antelope taken by his clients were reported to the Board of Outfitters,” Buhmann said. It is
unlawful for a licensed Montana outfitter to misrepresent the services they have provided to
clients. Dan Guzynski from the Attorney General’s Office reviewed the case
and filed the complaints in Powder River and Lewis & Clark County Justice Courts. The
final result was a plea agreement where Greslin pled guilty to one count in each court. He
paid a total of $1,070.00 in fines for the two convictions.
Jason Coulter, a Powder River Outfitter guide, Mark Fagerland from Wisconsin, Donald
Gottstine and Ralph Ludwig from New York, Michael Cvrlje and Richard Jacobsen from New
Jersey, David Parry from Texas and Paul Benjamin of Quebec, Canada were charged with Fish
& Game violations and paid fines or forfeited bonds.
“The final results of these cases were achieved as a result of hundreds of man hours
by several game wardens, the attorney general’s office and county prosecutors,”
Buhmann said.
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Montana outfitter, a licensed Montana guide and several non-resident hunting clients from
Wisconsin, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Quebec, Canada. The defendant’s paid
$5,595.00 in fines, restitution and court costs.
“This case started during the fall of 2005 when three mule deer bucks were found wasted
in a dumpsite near Polson, MT. and a spoiled mule deer buck was brought into Broadus Meats for
processing. All of the deer had tags on them belonging to outfitter sponsored hunting clients of
Powder River Outfitters,”said Lennie Buhmann, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Regional Investigator.
In addition, a two yearlong investigation by Montana Game Wardens discovered several
violations by outfitted clients, including the killing of two antelope without valid licenses, the
loan and transfer of licenses and archery clients hunting without valid archery licenses.
Information about the two unlawfully killed antelope, which were transported over state
lines was turned over to Brian Lakes, Special Agent with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Officer
Lakes issued a violation notice to outfitter Kenneth Greslin for violating the Lacey Act and he
paid a fine of $2,025.00 in United States District Court.
Greslin was also cited in Powder River and Lewis & Clark County Justice Courts for
several violations of an outfitter misrepresenting services to clients and for failing to submit
complete and accurate records to the Montana Board of Outfitters. “Problems
were found within Greslin’s records, but the main problem was that none of the
antelope taken by his clients were reported to the Board of Outfitters,” Buhmann said. It is
unlawful for a licensed Montana outfitter to misrepresent the services they have provided to
clients. Dan Guzynski from the Attorney General’s Office reviewed the case
and filed the complaints in Powder River and Lewis & Clark County Justice Courts. The
final result was a plea agreement where Greslin pled guilty to one count in each court. He
paid a total of $1,070.00 in fines for the two convictions.
Jason Coulter, a Powder River Outfitter guide, Mark Fagerland from Wisconsin, Donald
Gottstine and Ralph Ludwig from New York, Michael Cvrlje and Richard Jacobsen from New
Jersey, David Parry from Texas and Paul Benjamin of Quebec, Canada were charged with Fish
& Game violations and paid fines or forfeited bonds.
“The final results of these cases were achieved as a result of hundreds of man hours
by several game wardens, the attorney general’s office and county prosecutors,”
Buhmann said.
Website Navigation
Hunting Seasons Licenses & Permits Regulations Hunt Planner ALS Searches Hunter Access Trapping Fishing Montana Fishing Guide Visit a Fishing Access Site Licenses & Permits Regulations Fisheries Management Hatcheries MFISH State Parks Visit a State Park Policies & Permits Events & Programs Accommodations Park Rules Volunteer Parks Management Recreation Visit a FWP Site Licenses & Permits Crossing the Barriers Activities Stay Safe Outdoors Ethics Grants Recreation Mgmt Wild Things Montana Field Guide Species of Concern Threatened & Endangered Conservation in Action Nongame Checkoff Living with Wildlife Habitat Fish Habitat Future Fisheries Wildlife Habitat Stewardship Wildlife Management Areas Learn More Education Hunter Angler Teachers Youth Outdoor Recreation Outdoors Woman Wildlife Center Discover Montana's Ecosystems Videos Enforcement Laws Wildlife Violators Compact TIP-MONT Types of Crimes Events & Awards Wardens Doing Business Licenses & Permits Employment Inside FWP Design & Construction Reference Information Grants Store Contact Us News Recent Headlines Fishing Hunting Parks Recreation Public Notices News Archive Fishing Roundup Drought & Fire Privacy & Security Policy • Accessibility and ADA Compliance • Contact Us
2,820
In this case, all that happened to these multiple offenders was a total of about $9,000 in fines. Meantime, “The final results of these cases were achieved as a result of hundreds of man hours by several game wardens, the attorney general’s office and county prosecutors,” Buhmann said. So in addition to the animals that were poached, there's also been a significant amount of public time and money lost. Of course, court costs were paid by the offenders - that's the judge's salary, right?
To top it off, these pricks are still in business.
It's a safe bet that in addition to the prosecuted crimes, there were other violations that are either unknown or couldn't be proven. No real incentive has been given to these lowlifes to straighten up and fly right and the case sends a clear message to unscrupulous outfitters.
It would tend to make honest outfitters question why they bother to obey the law and make game wardens ask, "What's the point?" ](*,)
The way I see it, the poachers won another one.
As I have found out in the past though it's all about who you know and how much $$ you've donated to different clubs and foundations. :>/