Helicopter Trespassing: Charges Filed Against MT National Guardsmen in Blackhawk Antler Case
Three Montana Army National Guardsmen face criminal charges after landing a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on private property to collect elk antlers. The incident took place on May 4, 2025, in the Crazy Mountains north of Big Timber, Montana.
The Guardsmen allegedly landed the military helicopter without permission on a posted ranch property in Sweet Grass County. The crew picked up two elk antlers and an elk skull with antlers attached. A nearby witness saw the helicopter land and reported the activity to the property owner.
Authorities estimated the value of the antlers at $300 to $400. The crew later surrendered the antlers to a state game warden.
Officials charged Michael Vincent Bray, 30, of Helena; Perry Wray Woodland, 30, of Great Falls; and Deni Lynn Draper, 36, of Clancy with misdemeanor criminal trespass. One citation specifically noted the unauthorized helicopter landing.
Each charge carries a potential penalty of up to $500, six months in jail, or both. All three are scheduled to appear in court on May 28. Officials are also reviewing whether to add charges related to antler possession.
A spokesperson for the Montana National Guard confirmed an internal investigation is underway. The Guard has not disclosed the purpose of the flight or whether the landing had any official sanction.
The Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard issued a statement condemning any misuse of military equipment and said appropriate disciplinary action will follow if misconduct is confirmed.
The property owner, 71-year-old Linda McMullen, declined an offer from the National Guard to return the antlers and expressed concern about the incident.
'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.'
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks continues to lead the investigation. No further comments have been released.
Montana National Guard Investigates Alleged Unauthorized Blackhawk Helicopter Landing, Antler Theft
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
NY community 'heartbroken' by loss of father and daughter who died hiking in Maine
The Ulster County community is mourning the loss of a father and daughter from Ulster Park who were found dead on a mountain in Maine, where they had gone hiking on June 1. They were identified by authorities as Tim Keiderling, 58, and his daughter, Esther Keiderling, 28. USA Today reported the father and daughter were last seen leaving their campground in Baxter State Park, on their way to the summit of Mount Katahdin, around 10 a.m. June 1. Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine, is located within the park. A search and rescue mission for the Keiderlings began on June 2, after their car was spotted in the mountain's day-use parking lot. Found guilty: Monticello man convicted of predatory sexual assault against a child Park rangers, K-9 crews, game wardens and the Maine Forest Service were involved in the extensive ground and air search. The Maine National Guard used two helicopters, a Blackhawk and a Lakota, in the search. A Marine Warden K-9 search team found Tim Keiderling's body near the summit around 2:45 p.m. June 3, according to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Esther's body was found around 1 p.m. June 4 in a wooded area of Katahdin's Tableland, according to Baxter State Park officials. Their deaths are being mourned on social media by many who knew them. "All of us at the Town of Esopus are heartbroken by the loss of Tim and Esther Keiderling," the town said in a Facebook post. "They were a cherished part of our community and we grieve alongside their family and our friends at the Bruderhof." "Through their work on our Parks and Recreation Committee, Tim and Esther brought joy to so many," the Esopus Facebook post continued. "Their warmth, kindness and dedication were unmatched and will be deeply missed." "We will continue to honor their memory by serving our community with the same spirit of dedication and generosity they shared with us," the Esopus post concluded. Heinrich Arnold of the Bruderhof Communities said in a Facebook post that the community is "grateful for the outpouring of prayers and support." Three dead: Goshen community mourns loss of father, two sons in 'devastating' house fire "This afternoon we heard the anticipated — but nonetheless deeply painful — news that the search team on Katahdin Mountain in Maine found Esther, who also succumbed to exposure near where Tim was discovered," Arnold said in his Facebook post. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy, difficult to fully grasp," Arnold continued. "Both were taken from us far too soon, and we are all left asking: 'Why?' Only God knows the answer. One comfort to the family is that Tim and Esther were doing something they both were passionate about: being near to God, surrounded by expansive views and visions, immersed in nature, in the raw and wild beauty of creation." "We will face this tragic loss together, with tears and also with faith in Jesus and the resurrection," Arnold's post concluded. The Keiderlings also were being mourned at Rifton, a company that makes adaptive equipment for people with disabilities, where they both worked. Tim Keiderling worked for Rifton as a sales and customer service representative since Sept. 2020 and Esther Keiderling joined the company in 2023, and worked as a product trainer and educator. "Tim presented hundreds of in-service and product trainings to customers all over the United States," Rifton said in a Facebook post. "Esther joined him on some of these. Anyone who attended one of these sessions can't help but remember Tim's lively presence and the joy and fulfillment both he and Esther found in helping all of you serve the children and adults in your care." "Thank you for your concern for their family and your prayers in these difficult days," the Rifton post concluded. Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@ This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Father, daughter found dead on Mount Katahdin 'brought joy to so many'
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Search continues for N.Y. woman who went hiking after father's body on Mount Katahdin in Maine
'No one has had a brother like mine,' Tim's brother Joe Keiderling 'He left us far too soon,' he said. 'My heart is broken for his wife and children.' Advertisement Park rangers began searching for the father and daughter Monday morning after discovering that their vehicle was still parked in the day-use parking lot, officials said. The body of Tim Keiderling was located on the Tableland, near the summit of Katahdin, at WMTW-TV reported that Esther Keiderling wrote about the hike with her father on Substack on Saturday. 'I'm a little nervous after everything I've read about the Abol trail but I'm going to do it if weather permits! If you don't see me back on Substack notes again, that's where I am,' she wrote. Advertisement Baxter State Park Director Kevin Adam said the weather at Mount Katahdin on Sunday was cloudy with rain, sleet, and west winds reaching 30 to 40 miles per hour. Similar conditions were reported on Monday, he said. 'I have even seen some pictures with snow,' Adam said in an email to the Globe. 'Temperatures would have been in mid 30's, wind chill about 19. Monday temperatures were up into the 40's.' Baxter State Park Rangers expanded their search Tuesday morning with the assistance of more than 30 game wardens, including the Maine Warden Service Search and Rescue team and its K-9 team. The Maine Forest Service was also searching the area with three helicopters, along with a Blackhawk and a Lakota Helicopter outfitted with an infrared thermal imaging device from the Maine Army National Guard, officials said. Baxter State Park officials closed the Hunt and Abol Trails on Katahdin and asked anyone who has any information that could help their search efforts to contact Maine State Police in Houlton at 207-532-5400. Emily Sweeney can be reached at
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
US Army helicopter flights at Pentagon remain suspended after close call
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Army helicopter flights around the Pentagon remain suspended after two passenger airline flights were forced to abort landings on May 1 at Reagan Washington National Airport because of a nearby Black Hawk helicopter, the acting head of the Federal Aviation Adminstraton said Wednesday. Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau told a U.S. House hearing that the agency had barred the Army from training or priority transport flights as it revisits the agency's letter of authorization with the military. "They are not flying right now," Rocheleau said. "We've shut those down until such time as we're comfortable with kind of what we call new rules of the road."
