3. SEELEY LAKE COUPLE CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE FELONIES
On January 27, 2003, Dean and Renita Ruth of Seeley Lake, Montana, were charged with 12 felony and numerous misdemeanor counts involving big game poaching near their home. The couple, whose land abuts state and Plum Creek Timber Company property, maintains their innocence despite the strong case state wildlife officials have against them.
Dean Ruth was first caught seven years ago by Fish, Wildlife & Parks' game warden Bill Koppen while spotlighting (i.e. hunting at night with lamps, which is illegal) in the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area. The Management Area is a state wildlife sanctuary that acts as a corridor for migrating elk and deer each winter. The animals, who are traveling from their summer to winter range, have historically been abundant in this area. In the last several years, however, they have been scarce--a scarcity many attribute to the Ruths' illegal night hunting, accessing non-motorized backcountry with motorized vehicles, using alfalfa as game bait, and taking more animals than permissible with their permits.
While many, including authorities, have been aware of the illegal nature of their activities, they have never been caught in the act. Four-wheel tracks, however, have been found behind locked gates prior to hunting season in areas closed off to vehicles. Neighbor Bob Skiles saw Dean on his four-wheeler approximately six miles into the closed area. After a thorough search of the defendants' property and much evidence found supporting their poaching, law officials are anxious to, according to Koppen, "stop the killing."
http://www.wildlandscpr.org/newsletters/Skid_Marks/skidmarks63.htm
