Three Montana National Guardsmen are facing misdemeanor charges after allegedly landing a military Black Hawk helicopter on private land to collect elk antlers — igniting outrage over misuse of taxpayer-funded equipment and disregard for private property rights.

The incident occurred on May 4, when witnesses spotted the aircraft touching down on a ranch about 25 miles north of Big Timber, Montana, as reported by The New York Times. According to state wildlife officials, the guardsmen reportedly picked up two elk antlers and an elk skull with antlers still attached, worth an estimated $300 to $400.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks charged the servicemen with criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine, six months in jail, or both, according to local newspaper The Big Timber Pioneer.

Ranch owner Linda McMullen, 71, said she was alerted by a neighbor who spotted the helicopter with binoculars.

“He said, ‘Linda, there’s a green Army helicopter landed on your place, picking up elk antlers,’” McMullen recounted. “I said, ‘Are you joking?’ He said, ‘I’m looking at them with binoculars.’”

McMullen contacted the local game warden to report the incident, insisting on accountability.

“They used the excuse these are good guys, that I don’t want to ruin their careers,” she said. “They should have thought about that before doing this. I think people need to know this is happening.”

The three guardsmen charged in the incident are Michael Vincent Bray and Perry Wray Woodland, both 30, and Deni Lynn Draper, 36.

Montana National Guard Adjutant General J. Peter Hronek released a statement condemning the alleged actions.

“If true, this behavior does not align with the values of the Montana National Guard,” Hronek stated. “Misuse of military equipment erodes the trust we strive to uphold with the people of Montana. Every member... is expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and respect for the law.”

Despite the clear violation of property rights and questionable use of a military aircraft, McMullen said both Guard officials and law enforcement urged her not to press charges.

The senior pilot reportedly contacted McMullen, offering a personal apology and to return the antlers. But the ranch owner stood firm, signaling that a quiet apology wouldn't suffice in the face of what many see as blatant misuse of government resources and entitlement by those in uniform.

Montana’s booming antler market may have been a motivating factor. According to The New York Times, elk antlers — which can weigh up to 12 pounds — sell for around $14 per pound. Jackie Steigleman, owner of Antlers Unlimited in Bozeman, noted:

“There’s an antler war out there, and they’re very valuable. We joke about it all the time because it’s such a popular activity and you can make some decent money.”

Collecting shed antlers on state land is legal in Montana but requires a conservation license, according to Greg Lemon of Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. That rule, however, doesn’t extend to private property, where permission is legally required — especially when landing a Black Hawk helicopter.

Attorney Nathan Hulling, representing Bray, urged the public not to rush to judgment.

“Let the process play out and remember these men are innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “These are service members — a lot of them have given a decade-plus of service to their country — and we are still gathering information.”

Still, questions remain: Who approved the use of a multimillion-dollar military helicopter for a personal errand? And why did it take a civilian to insist on accountability?