Linda McMullen, a cattle rancher in Montana, reported that a neighbor informed her of unusual activity on her ranch involving a green Army helicopter collecting elk antlers without her permission. The incident occurred while she was traveling in Nevada, with her ranch located approximately 25 miles north of Big Timber, Montana, at the base of the Crazy Mountains.
Hunting for shed elk antlers is a popular and lucrative activity in Montana, often requiring permission from property owners. The authorities have charged three members of the Montana National Guard with misdemeanor criminal trespassing for landing their helicopter on McMullen's property on May 4 to collect antlers. The items taken included two antlers and a skeletonized head valued between $300 and $400.
Sheriff Alan Ronneberg of Sweet Grass County noted that the investigation is ongoing to determine if further charges are needed, stating that the use of a helicopter for such activities is unprecedented in his experience. The Montana National Guard confirmed that the troops were on a training mission from Billings to Helena and reported turning over four antlers to the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Maj. Gen. J. Peter Hronek, the adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, stated that an internal investigation is in progress regarding the incident. He emphasized that such behavior, if validated, contradicts the values upheld by the National Guard and undermines public trust.
Linda McMullen expressed her dismay over the violation of her property rights, indicating her long history of ranching and her personal collection of antlers. She described the actions of the Guard members as an “egregious violation of trust” and expressed her concerns about the challenges of ranching as a low-margin business.
The three Guard members have been identified as Michael Vincent Bray, Deni Lynn Draper, and Perry Wray Woodland. Attempts to reach them for comments were unsuccessful. Elk shed their antlers annually from January to May, creating a vibrant market for collectors, with prices varying based on the condition of the antlers, according to local businesses.
Jackie Steigleman of Antlers Unlimited stated that the trade is quite competitive and lucrative, with valuable antlers being utilized for various products, including furniture and dog chew toys. Following the neighbor's report, McMullen authorized him to enter her property to document the helicopter's registration number and subsequently contacted local authorities and the National Guard regarding the incident.