MELVILLE — Three Montana Army National Guard members are facing criminal trespass charges after allegedly landing a Black Hawk helicopter on private property and taking elk antlers without permission.
The incident occurred in the small town of Melville, where residents have noticed an increase in helicopter activity recently.
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"I understand a whole lot why everybody wants to come to Montana. We all love it for the same reasons," said Bonita Cremer, owner of Café 191, a community staple in Melville. "The beautiful scenery that we just get to see every day. We don't even have to try to find this beauty."
While Cremer didn't see the incident herself, she described it as unsettling: "There was two things that immediately came to mind. First was that is a real misuse of a taxpayer asset and taxpayer dollars. And secondly, what a bold and aggressive trespass on the private property that seems to be."
The landowner, Linda McMullen, was not in town when the incident occurred and was notified by a neighbor. McMullen told me the incident felt violating and stated, "This is just one time they got caught."
"When you hear about an incident like this, it does make you think, 'Well, what else is going on up there?' Montana is a big state," Cremer said.
For Jackie and Mark Steilgleman, owners of Antlers Unlimited and Buck Bone Organics in Bozeman, shed antlers are their livelihood.
"Ideally, you know, we're in the business to buy antler," said Mark Steilgleman.
The Steilglemans say they receive calls about stolen antlers a few times a year.
"The brown chocolate antler, which has this highest value. And currently, that's only meriting about $12 to $13 a pound," Mark Steilgleman said.
However, they don't believe profit was the motive in this case.
"We support our military... So, I mean, was it a misjudgment? Probably. Definitely. You know, they probably felt like there was no harm, no foul," Mark Steilgleman said.
"It's like finding that pot of gold under the rainbow type of thing. I don't think it was merited based on value," said Jackie Steilgleman.
"They can be very valuable, but that doesn't mean that just because you see them, they're yours to pick up," Cremer said.
Charges of "Criminal Trespass To Property" were filed against the three defendants in Sweet Grass County Justice Court on Tuesday, according to the Big Timber Pioneer.
The three Guardsmen are Michael Vincent Bray of Helena, age 30; Perry Wray Woodland of Great Falls, 30; and Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy, 36. The men are accused of "entering posted private property for the purpose of elk antler retrieval," reads the citations.
Bray's citation also reads: "landed [a] military helicopter on private property."
Criminal trespassing is defined as entering or remaining unlawfully, according to Montana state statute. The legislation specifies a person convicted of criminal trespassing could be fined $500 or less, and/or be imprisoned in county jail for less than six months.
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(MAY 14, 2025) Three Montana Army National Guard members face criminal trespassing charges from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks after a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter that they were flying in allegedly landed on private property in the Crazy Mountain foothills of Sweet Grass County.
While on the ground, the helicopter crew allegedly took elk antlers from the private ranch land, according to witnesses and officials.
Charges of "Criminal Trespass To Property" were filed against the three defendants in Sweet Grass County Justice Court on Tuesday, according to the Big Timber Pioneer.
The three Guardsmen are Michael Vincent Bray of Helena, age 30; Perry Wray Woodland of Great Falls, 30; and Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy, 36. The men are accused of "entering posted private property for the purpose of elk antler retrieval," reads the citations.
Bray's citation also reads: "landed [a] military helicopter on private property."
Criminal trespassing is defined as entering or remaining unlawfully, according to Montana state statute. The legislation specifies a person convicted of criminal trespassing could be fined $500 or less, and/or be imprisoned in county jail for less than six months.
The incident, which was first reported in the Big Timber Pioneer on Tuesday, raises questions about military accountability and private property rights. The defendants are ordered to appear in court on May 28 in Big Timber.
"It is not the usual trespass call. I've never seen anything like it before," said Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg, who confirmed his office received the initial complaint.
Neighboring ranchers David and Sandy Holman noticed a the grey-black Blackhawk helicopter of the Montana Army National Guard landing in their vicinity near Billy Creek west of Melville, on the afternoon of May 4, 2025.
"They called me, pretty alarmed," said rancher Linda McMullen, referencing the incident in question on her land during a phone interview.
"Do you know there is an Army helicopter on your land picking up elk antlers?'" she was asked.
"It is tough enough to pull a profit," said McMullen, who estimated desirable early brown elk antler sheds can be worth thousands of dollars. "I started making calls. I called the game warden to hold these people accountable for what they've done."
Sweet Grass County Game Warden Austin Kassner referred questions to his senior officer. "I have been directed to have you contact my captain, Randy Hutzenbiler," he said.
"FWP has no comment as it is an active investigation," said Hutzenbiler. "We will share information as it becomes public to protect the sanctity of the investigation. We are working with evidence and have not consulted the county attorney's office."
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Montana National Guard acknowledged the incident took place and that they are investigating.
"The aircrew allegedly landed on private property and collected antlers," said Major Ryan Finnegan, state public affairs officer with the Montana National Guard. "The Montana National Guard is investigating the incident, which was witnessed by a local landowner and reported to a Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks game warden. MTNG Leadership takes this matter seriously and is working to complete a thorough and rigorous review of the incident with FWP's law enforcement division."
"I had a chance to talk to our senior pilot who was in contact with the landowner," Finnegan said. "Sounds like they have spoken twice. He reached out to ask to be able to give an in-person apology and to coordinate returning the items."
McMullen, the landowner, confirmed a conversation with a high-level National Guard official had taken place.
"A lieutenant colonel said (they'd) meet in person and bring back the antlers," said McMullen, citing calls from National Guard leadership and a former local law enforcement official, requesting she not press charges on the helicopter servicemen.
"They used the excuse 'these are good guys, that I don't want to ruin their careers,'" she said. "They should have thought about that before doing this. I think people need to know this is happening."
Finnegan did not expound on whether the senior pilot and the "colonel" that McMullen mentioned are associated or the same individual, and did not identify the senior pilot.
"Nothing further," he commented, when questioned whether it was known if a colonel with the branch contacted McMullen to dissuade her from pressing charges.
"We are conducting interviews with crew on what they were trying to do, what their mission was out there," said Finnegan.
He explained he did not know if the Federal Aviation Administration was involved in investigating a potentially unauthorized non-emergency landing. "We knew it was a big deal."
An official statement from Major General Peter Hronek, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard, was released Wednesday.
"I am aware of an alleged incident involving a Montana Army National Guard helicopter landing on private property without authorization," reads the statement from Hronek, regarding unauthorized military aircraft use on Wednesday, May 4. "An internal investigation is underway, and appropriate adverse and/or administrative action will take place if the allegations are determined to be true. if true, this behavior does not align with the values of the Montana National Guard. Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana. Every member of the Montana National Guard is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and respect for the law.”
