Montana Man Fined and Loses Hunting Rights in Poaching Case

The lure of bagging a big one on the opening day in Montana, or any day of the hunting season can lead some people to do things that aren't on the up and up.  Using cell phones, drones and more have all been documented over the years.

via GIPHY

That lure led one Montana man to poach an animal out of season and then claim otherwise.  He's now been sentenced and fined with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Department (MFWP), along with loss of hunting privileges in the state.

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Man Takes Trophy White Tail Buck Out of Season and With Improper Weapon

The case stems from a Pondera County man, Tony Zimbelman, claiming he harvested a trophy caliber white tail deer with bowhunting equipment during the bow season in 2025.  Soon after, MFWP received a tip from a concerned citizen that the buck may have been taken illegally.

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When interviewed by MFWP game wardens, Zimbelman admitted that the deer had been taken with a rifle the day before the archery season in the state opened.  According to authorities, "the deer was a large buck with a Boone & Crockett score of 182."

Montana Man Fined and Loses Hunting Rights in Poaching Case

Zimbleman appeared in Montana Ninth Judicial Court in March of this year, charged with Misdemeanor Unlawful Possession of Wildlife.  In reaching a plea deal with the court, he was "sentenced to 6 months in jail, suspended, along with fines and restitution totaling $3,000. His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges were also revoked for two years" according to the release.

Lead investigator, game warden Sergeant Mike Krings said of the case:

This case came about because of an initial tip from a concerned sportsman, and the assistance and support from people like that are incredibly valuable to us.  Private citizens act as extra eyes and ears in the field for game wardens and help us preserve fair chase opportunities for the vast majority of Montana hunters who do things the right way.

If you have observed a hunting violation or you may have information about a potential crime, you can go to tipmont.mt.gov to report.  You could even be eligible for a reward.