Montana National Guard soldiers are facing criminal trespassing charges after landing a military helicopter on private ranch land to collect elk antlers worth just a few hundred dollars, leaving landowner Linda McMullen stunned as she received pressure from Guard leadership not to press charges.
Key Takeaways
- Three Montana National Guard members allegedly landed a military helicopter on private property without permission to collect elk antlers valued at $300-$400.
- The soldiers—Michael Vincent Bray, Perry Wray Woodland, and Deni Lynn Draper—are facing criminal trespassing charges that could result in a $500 fine, six months in jail, or both.
- Ranch owner Linda McMullen was urged by National Guard leadership and local law enforcement not to press charges, but she insisted on accountability.
- The Montana National Guard has launched an internal investigation, with leadership acknowledging the behavior “does not align with the values of the Montana National Guard.”
- Elk antlers have become increasingly valuable in Montana, selling for approximately $14 per pound, creating what one source called an “antler war.”
Unauthorized Military Landing for Antler Collection
On May 4, three Montana National Guard soldiers made a decision that would lead to criminal charges when they allegedly landed a military helicopter on private ranch land about 25 miles north of Big Timber, Montana. The servicemembers—identified as Michael Vincent Bray, Perry Wray Woodland, and Deni Lynn Draper—reportedly touched down on Linda McMullen’s cattle ranch without permission to collect elk antlers. The unauthorized landing was spotted by a neighbor who immediately alerted McMullen to the unusual activity occurring on her property.
Montana Army National Guardsmen face trespassing charges after reportedly landing a helicopter on a private ranch to take elk antlers before flying away. https://t.co/FM4oqFp60o
— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) May 16, 2025
“He said, ‘Linda, there’s a green Army helicopter landed on your place, picking up elk antlers,'” Ms. McMullen recalled. “I said, ‘Are you joking?’ He said, ‘I’m looking at them with binoculars,” said Ms. McMullen
According to Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg, the guardsmen collected two antlers and a skeletonized head with antlers during their brief touchdown on the private property. The items are estimated to be worth between $300 and $400. While collecting shed antlers is a popular and legal activity in Montana with proper permissions and licenses, using military equipment to access private property represents an unprecedented abuse of resources and authority.
Legal Consequences and Internal Investigation
The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has charged the three guardsmen with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor that carries potential penalties of up to $500 in fines, six months in jail, or both. The charges come despite apparent efforts by National Guard leadership to persuade McMullen against pressing charges. According to reports, McMullen received calls from Guard officials asking her not to pursue legal action, but she remained firm in her belief that the servicemembers should be held accountable.
“It is not the usual trespass call. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Sweet Grass County Sheriff Alan Ronneberg
Major General J. Peter Hronek, Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard, confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to determine whether additional disciplinary actions are warranted. The National Guard has also reached out to McMullen to apologize and coordinate the return of the collected antlers. While the Federal Aviation Administration’s involvement in the investigation remains unclear, the incident raises serious questions about the misuse of military resources and the conduct expected of service members.
The Value of Elk Antlers and Legal Collection
The incident highlights the growing value of elk antlers in Montana, where the market price has reached approximately $14 per pound. This increasing value has contributed to what some have described as an “antler war” in the state, with collectors going to extraordinary lengths to secure these prized items. While collecting shed antlers from state-owned land is legal with a proper conservation license, doing so on private property requires explicit permission from the landowner.
“There’s an antler war out there, and they’re very valuable,” said Jackie Steigleman
Sheriff Ronneberg noted the popularity of antler hunting in Montana but emphasized the unprecedented nature of using a helicopter for this purpose. The senior pilot involved in the incident has reportedly offered to apologize in person to McMullen and return the collected antlers. Meanwhile, Nathan Hulling, attorney for guardsman Michael Bray, has urged the public to remember the presumption of innocence as the legal process unfolds. The case continues to develop as investigations proceed, with the Montana National Guard emphasizing that the alleged behavior does not align with their core values of integrity and proper resource allocation.
