A Montana National Guard pilot admitted to misusing a taxpayer-funded Black Hawk helicopter for personal antler collection, exposing a disturbing breach of military ethics and government resource abuse.
Story Highlights
- Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deni Lynn Draper pled no contest to trespassing after landing a military helicopter on private ranch land to collect elk antlers during May 2025 training flight
- Judge imposed maximum $500 fine with deferred sentencing, emphasizing higher standards for military personnel who serve the country
- Montana National Guard completed internal investigation and implemented strict new policies explicitly banning any antler collection during flights
- Two other crew members maintain not guilty pleas and face upcoming jury trials for their role in the unauthorized landing
Military Helicopter Misused for Personal Gain
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deni Lynn Draper diverted a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from an authorized training mission in May 2025 to land on Linda McMullen’s private ranch in Sweet Grass County. The crew collected two sets of elk shed antlers and one skull with antlers from the property without permission. Neighboring ranchers David and Sandy Holman witnessed the landing and reported seeing the Guardsmen loading antlers into the taxpayer-funded aircraft, triggering an investigation that uncovered tire indentations and exhaust marks at the landing site.
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Court Proceedings Emphasize Military Standards
Draper changed her plea from not guilty to no contest in Sweet Grass County Court, accepting responsibility for the trespass. Judge Jessie Connolly imposed the maximum $500 fine and deferred sentencing for six months, stating that because Draper serves the country, she is held to a “little higher standard than many people.” The pilot forfeited any claim to the antlers, which will be returned to ranch owner McMullen by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Two other crew members, Michael Vincent Bray and Perry Wray Woodland, maintained not guilty pleas and remained scheduled for a January 14 jury confirmation hearing. Their cases could still proceed to trial, demonstrating that accountability extends beyond the pilot to all personnel involved in misusing government resources. Draper’s attorney claimed the landing was a mistake without malicious intent, though prosecutors characterized it as a deliberate diversion for shed collection.
National Guard pilot admits to landing Black Hawk helicopter to pick up elk antlers https://t.co/lvlr8uT12a
— Task & Purpose (@TaskandPurpose) January 7, 2026
Guard Implements Zero-Tolerance Policies
The Montana National Guard completed its internal investigation and announced strict new policies explicitly prohibiting any antler harvesting during flights, including on authorized training areas. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Figarelle stated that “no type of antler harvesting of any type is authorized. There is no tolerance.” The incident involved the 1st Battalion, 189th General Support Aviation Battalion, described as the state’s most actively utilized unit for firefighting, search and rescue, and overseas deployments.
Brigadier General Trent Gibson emphasized that protecting public trust is paramount and that misuse of resources is inconsistent with Guard standards. The case highlights how military personnel cannot use government equipment for personal purposes, even during otherwise authorized missions. This breach of ethics undermines the integrity of a unit that recently helped save a missing hiker in the Beartooth Mountains, demonstrating the importance of maintaining strict standards to preserve public confidence in military operations.
Sources:
Army pilot admits to landing military helicopter to pick up elk antlers
Montana National Guard Pilot Pleads No Contest in Shed-Hunting Case
3 Montana National Guardsmen charged in elk antler trespassing case via helicopter
