Young men face host of charges: Four suspects, 19 dead deer

Four Columbia Falls men have been identified as the suspects charged with poaching violations in the Whitefish area over the last couple of years.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials confirmed Tuesday that the men are Paul West, 19, Chase Wilson, 20, Tyler Kellar, 19 and Dillan Erickson, 19.

All four were cited for numerous counts of wildlife violations on Sept. 27. They were obligated to appear in Flathead County Justice Court on Oct. 9, where they all pleaded not guilty.

They are accused in a series of poaching incidents in which at least 19 whitetail deer were killed in the vicinity of Farm to Market Road, Voerman Road and Dillon Road over a period of about two years in 2011-12.

Charges against them include waste of game, using artificial light to shoot big game, unlawful possession of big-game animals and hunting during a closed season.

“With some of these defendants, it looks like they are dealing with a couple dozen charges,” Deputy County Attorney Travis Ahner said.

Ahner said omnibus hearings for Wilson and Erickson are scheduled for Dec. 10, for West on Dec. 24 and for Kellar on Dec. 31.

Their cases are expected to proceed over the next few months.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens are being tight-lipped about their investigation because court proceedings are pending.