Guardsmen Land Helicopter For Antlers, Face Trespassing Charges

• Three members of the Montana Army National Guard are being charged with trespassing and landing a military helicopter on private property
• It's believed they landed a Black Hawk Helicopter on private land on May 4, 2025 in order to take elk antlers and a skull
• Other charges related to taking the sheds are pending

May 3, 2025, The Guardsman Were On A Training Flight

Guardsmen, Perry Wray Woodland of Great Falls, Deni Lynn Draper of Clancy and Michael Vincent Bray of East Helena, were flying from Billings to Helena on May 4.

It's believed the Black Hawk helicopter landed in a private pasture in the Crazy Mountains where the men removed the shed and the skull with antlers still attached.

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The antlers and skull removed by the guardsman are worth around $300-$400. They have been turned over to a state game warden.

The Property Had Posted No Trespassing Signs

The ranch had posted no trespassing signs that were directly related to antler removal from the private land.

Sweetgrass County Attorney and the sheriff's office are looking into whether or not taking the skull and sheds are considered theft. Additional charges may be filed later.

What Are The  Charges Currently Filed Against The Guardsman?

Currently, the men are only facing criminal misdemeanor trespass which is punishable by a fine of $185.

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A lawyer for one of the men accused said that all three of them have served the United States with honor and are innocent until proven guilty.

Source: Associated Press

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