Thirty-Six Charges Filed in Sanders County, Montana Big Game Poaching Case
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 02.12.13
Three Sanders County residents were recently charged with multiple fish and game violations including hunting game during a closed season and unlawfully using artificial light to kill game animals. Deputy County Attorney Amy Kenison filed 36 charges for violations based on FWP Warden Tom Chianelli’s investigation into a string of poaching that occurred in March/April of 2012 in the Thompson Falls area.
Bryant Eaton of Trout Creek faces 18 fish and game charges including 5 charges of taking of game animals during a closed season, 5 charges of unlawfully using artificial light to take game animals, and 5 charges of possessing and transporting unlawfully killed game animals. Eaton also faces two counts of waste of a game animal and one count of unlawfully obtaining a license when his privileges were suspended. Court records show Eaton’s hunting privileges are currently suspended for a previous fish and game violation. Eaton has entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled to appear before Sanders County Justice of the Peace Don Strine at a later date.
Stuart Mitchell of Thompson Falls was also charged with 13 counts of similar violations, including 5 counts of possessing and transporting unlawfully killed game animals, 3 counts of unlawfully using artificial light to take game animals, 3 counts of taking game animals during a closed season and 2 counts of waste of a game animal. Mitchell entered a guilty plea to all 13 charges and has been ordered to pay over $6000 in fines and restitution and received a lifetime suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges. Mitchell was also ordered to serve a day in jail for each of the 13 charges.
Teresa Schimmel of Thompson Falls was charged with 4 counts of possessing unlawfully killed game animals and for the unlawful sale of game animals. Schimmel also entered a guilty plea to 5 charges and was ordered to pay $1925 in fines and received a lifetime suspension of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges. Schimmel was ordered to serve a day in jail for each of the 5 charges.
