Washington Men Convicted in Montana Elk Poaching Case

Five Washington state men have been stripped of hunting privileges in Montana for five years and ordered to pay $41,000 in fines and restitution for their role in illegally shooting trophy elk in a closed hunting district on the Rocky Mountain Front and failing to check them at a game station.

The case stemmed from a yearlong, two-state poaching investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks into bull elk shot on private land off Benchmark Road adjacent to the Sun River Game Range.

Learn more about the case here.

Minnesota Bear Guide Faces Fines for Poaching Violations

After a multi-year investigation by Minnesota Conservation Officers, a bear guide faces nearly $4000 in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to illegally hunting bear, deer, and other animals.

Read more about the case here

Connecticut Econ Police Now Using Fish Detection Dogs

Three Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police officers and their Labrador Retriever partners have received three weeks of special training to detect and locate illegal fish.  Those involved include Officer Holly Bernier and Saydee, Officer William Logiodice and Ruger, and Officer Karen Reilly and Hunter.

Read and see video on this story here

Minnesota Considering Felony Poaching Penalties

The State of Minnesota is considering a state law that would make egregious poaching cases a felony.

The conservation officer pictured in the photo is LT Colonel Rodmen Smith, a graduate of the 2014 NACLEC Leadership Academy.

Read more about it here 

Shellfish Company Accused of Illegal Harvest of Clams, Oysters.

Illegal shellfish harvest case in State of Washington.  After being extradited to King County, Washington, Rodney Clark was recently sentenced to 66 months for his role in stealing clams and oysters from public and private tidelands.  

Learn about it here