National Guard Crew Accused of Landing Helicopter on Private Land, Taking Elk Sheds

Three National Guard Members have received citations after a witness claims they landed their helicopter on a private ranch in Montana and took several shed antlers and an elk skull. (Photo by Michael Kucsmas)

A sheriff has issued citations to three Montana Army National Guard members after they landed a Black Hawk helicopter in a mountain pasture on a private ranch to take several shed antlers and an elk skull before flying away.

According to the AP, a witness saw the men land in the pasture on May 4. The property owner then reported it to officials, who located the three guard members.

The guardsmen had been on a training flight from the Billings area to Helena. Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg said after the helicopter landed in the pasture located in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains, the crew members picked up two individual antlers and an old elk skull with antlers still attached.

Ronnenberg says the antlers and skull, which were worth a combined $300 to $400, were later turned over to the game warden. Although trespassers often take antlers from private land in Montana and other western states, Ronnenberg acknowledged that this is an odd situation.

"Usually somebody parks on the side of the road and crosses into private ground and picks up a shed," he said.

Two of the guardsmen received citations saying they entered posted private property that was posted as trespassing for the purpose of elk antler removal. The citation for the third mentioned trespassing and also that the subject landed a military helicopter on private property.

The Sweet Grass County Attorney and Sheriff's Office are considering additional charges. Ronneberg said those discussions center on whether the antlers were the property of the landowners.

Nathan Hulling, an attorney for one of the guardsmen, said Friday that his client and the others had served their country honorably for many years and were innocent until proven guilty.