Three Montana Army National Guard members are facing criminal misdemeanor charges after allegedly landing a Black Hawk helicopter on private land to collect elk antlers—a move authorities say constitutes illegal trespassing and misuse of military resources.

The incident took place on May 4 in Sweet Grass County, when a witness spotted the military aircraft landing in a remote mountain pasture located in the scenic foothills of the Crazy Mountains.

The property owner, notified by the witness, quickly reported the unusual activity to local authorities. Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg confirmed the report and helped track down the involved guardsmen.

According to Major Ryan Finnegan, a spokesperson for the Montana National Guard, the soldiers were conducting a training flight between Billings and Helena, Montana’s capital.

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During this flight, the helicopter landed briefly on the privately owned pasture, where crew members collected two individual elk antlers and an old elk skull with attached antlers before departing.

“These antlers are not just souvenirs,” Sheriff Ronneberg noted. “Elk antlers shed naturally each year and are highly valued in the marketplace. Their total worth in this case was estimated between $300 and $400.” The items have since been recovered and turned over to a Montana state game warden.

The guardsmen, identified as Michael Vincent Bray of East Helena, Perry Wray Woodland of Great Falls, and Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy, were each issued citations for criminal trespass.

While Bray and Woodland were cited for “entering posted private property that was posted as trespassing for the purpose of elk antler removal,” Draper’s citation also noted the additional detail that a “military helicopter [was] landed on private property.”

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“This is an odd one,” said Ronneberg. “Usually, somebody parks on the side of the road and crosses into private ground and picks up a shed.” Using a military helicopter to do so is unprecedented in the sheriff’s experience.

While the guardsmen face misdemeanor trespassing charges, additional legal consequences could be forthcoming. Sheriff Ronneberg and the Sweet Grass County Attorney are weighing further charges related to whether the elk antlers and skull, collected from private land, legally belonged to the landowner.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesperson Greg Lemon confirmed that while it is legal for individuals to collect naturally shed antlers on state-owned land with a valid $8 conservation license, the same is not true for private land without permission. In this case, the land was clearly posted against trespassing.

The use of military equipment in this context has also drawn scrutiny. Montana National Guard Adjutant General J. Peter Hronek issued a statement saying the incident is under investigation.

“Appropriate adverse and/or administrative action will take place if the allegations are determined to be true,” Hronek said. “Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana.”

The Guard has since reached out to the landowner to provide an update and to coordinate the return of the seized items in person, said Finnegan.

Nathan Hulling, attorney for Michael Vincent Bray, emphasized that the guardsmen are entitled to due process.

“In cases like this that get highly publicized, we all seem to forget that principal,” Hulling said. “These individuals have served their country honorably for many years and are innocent until proven guilty.”

Neither Woodland nor Draper could be reached for comment.

While instances of antler theft are not uncommon in Montana and the broader Western U.S.—where shed hunting is a seasonal hobby and small-time business for many—the use of a military aircraft to do so is what makes this case stand out.

The Black Hawk helicopter is a symbol of American military strength, typically associated with combat missions, rescues, and disaster relief efforts—not the retrieval of wildlife trophies.

As the case unfolds, it serves as a cautionary tale for service members and civilians alike about the importance of respecting private property and the potential consequences of misusing public assets.

For now, the Montana National Guard finds itself working to restore public trust while facing tough questions about oversight and accountability.

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