A Montana investigation into illegal hunting and baiting of big-game animals has led to guilty pleas from two Minnesota men, as well as $50,000 in restitution and fines, Montana wildlife officials said Tuesday.
The investigation also led to interviews with dozens of hunters from Minnesota and Wisconsin earlier this year, said Ron Selden of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. More charges are possible, he added.
Albert (Will) Carlson, 67, and his son Todd Anthony Carlson, 41, of Inver Grove Heights have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in Phillips County Justice Court. Among the citations against them: illegal use of radios and trail cameras, hunting game with the use of bait, feeding game and soliciting the hunting of game with the use of bait.
Along with the charges and the $50,000 in fines and restitution, the Carlsons lost hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for three years in Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and other states in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
Two other family members, Troy Albert Carlson and Sandra Pearl Carlson, cannot hunt in Montana for three years.
The four face other sanctions as a result of the investigation of the Blue Ridge Ranch, south of Malta, Mont. Calls to the Carlsons on Tuesday night weren't answered or returned.
According to Montana wildlife officials:
Albert Carlson owns the ranch and arranged for an outfitter to sponsor him for a license, as well as to hire him.
The Carlsons were guides and clients of the unnamed outfitter, bringing them a pool of hunting licenses made available to about 40 out-of-state hunters a year, Montana officials said.
Most of the hunters were friends or business associates of the Carlsons from Minnesota and Wisconsin, Selden said. "They were getting invited, 'Come on out and get your trophy elk,'" he said.
But the ranch was illegally baiting the game, officials said, leading to an artificial concentration in the area.
Seized in the investigation were oats and salt blocks, as well as trail cameras with images of hunters and animals, officials said. Also, Montana wardens used video cameras to record elk being lured, baited and fed.
Vince Tuss • 612-673-7692
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