Dumb Poachers Hall of Fame: The Koi Pond Spearfishers

Sporting!

There’s evil, there’s stupid and evil, and then there are these guys.

Some poachers are smart enough to steal and waste wildlife at times and places where their crimes won’t be seen. Luckily for us and for the wildlife, for most people, the decision to poach automatically results in a loss of 20 IQ points. Take, for example, these two Montana men, who decided to test out their spearfishing skills in the display pond of Giant Springs Fish Hatchery in Great Falls. Did it occur to them that this might attract a bit of official attention … ?

The investigation began on Aug. 23, 2021, when Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks (FWP) game wardens discovered that several large fish at the Giant Springs fish hatchery display pond had been speared with a sharp object. Some of the dead fish were left at the scene, while others that survived had to later be euthanized. This wastage wasn’t enough for our intrepid duo, though. It only whetted their appetite for more stupidity.

On Sept. 19, 2021, wardens received a report that someone had shot and abandoned a bull elk on a ranch near Cascade. The head and antlers had been removed, as well as the lower jaw. The body had been left to waste. During the course of the investigation wardens also determined that three bull elk and one black bear had also been taken illegally. Tips from the public led wardens to Richard Van Meter, 22, and Ty Robert Lewis, 21, who later confessed to the crimes. Van Meter then left the state but returned recently.

Now, the Brain Trust has been convicted of unlawful possession of a game animal, unlawful possession of a game fish, waste of a game animal, waste of a game fish, and hunting without a valid license. Lewis paid $16,000 in fines and restitution, and Van Meter paid $8,000 in fines and restitution. Both men will also lose their hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for 20 years.

“This case took a few years, but thanks to the hard work of our game wardens, we are glad to finally wrap this case up,” said FWP Region 4 Warden Captain Dave Holland. “The sentences imposed by the court reflect the value of the resources taken by these two individuals, and especially the importance that the community places on the Giant Springs Hatchery.”

Holland also thanked the other agencies who cooperated in the case. “Game wardens from the California Department of Fish & Wildlife facilitated the return of Van Meter to Montana from California, and the hard work of the Cascade County Sherriff’s Office along with the Cascade County Attorney’s Office was critical to our success,” he added.

Any Montana residents with possible information about a fish and wildlife violation is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov or contact their local game warden to provide information. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. If you don’t live in Montana, check your local game and fish website for a tip line–most do have them–and many also offer cash rewards.