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Trophy Whitetail Illegally Shot Near Fort Peck

Fork Peck Resident and Washington Man Charged With Unlawful Taking of Trophy White-tailed Buck

Jordan Keys, 19, of Fort Peck, was charged with violations involving hunting from a public highway, unlawful possession and transportation of a game animal, and using a rifle in a weapons-restriction area. The driver of the vehicle, Robert Greenfield, 46, of Chinook, Wash., was charged with unlawful possession and transportation of a game animal.

On Nov. 13, Glasgow Game Warden Todd Tryan received a call from Valley County Sheriff's office dispatch stating an eyewitness had just observed an individual shoot a white-tailed buck from the road with a rifle in a weapons-restriction area, below the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Administration building near the town site of Ft. Peck. The deer was loaded in a vehicle and field dressed elsewhere.

With help from the Montana Highway Patrol and the Valley County Sheriff's office, authorities were able to locate the vehicle and conduct an investigation into the unlawful killing of the buck.

"There have been multiple calls of concern regarding this deer, as many people have observed it around Ft. Peck over the years," Tryan said. "This buck qualified as a trophy deer."

Keys was ordered by Valley County Justice of the Peace to pay $505 in fines and $500 in restitution. He lost his privileges to hunt and trap for 24 months in Montana and all 48 states that are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

Greenfield was ordered to pay $335 in fines. He also lost his privileges to hunt for 24 months in Montana and all 48 states that are members of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

Warden Tryan wants to thank the eyewitness for calling in to report the violation, as well as the Valley County Sheriff's Office deputies Luke Strommen and Alex Esteves for their assistance in the investigation.

Anyone with information about crimes involving fish, wildlife or park regulations is encouraged to call FWP's 24-hour wildlife tip line at 1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for providing information that leads to a conviction.

 

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