Poacher gets jail time, 25-year ban from hunting, fishing, trapping

(The Havre Herald) A Chinook man who poached two bull elk in February is serving a six-month sentence in the Valley County Detention Center and is banned from hunting, fishing and trapping for the next 25 years.

Cameron Dow Overcast declined an attorney for his March 7 arraignment and pleaded guilty to all seven poaching-related charges.

Overcast, born in 1987, was sentenced Wednesday by Blaine County Justice of the Peace Perry Miller to two and half years in jail, with all but six months suspended, and was ordered to pay $9,000 in restitution to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Overcast's sentence can be cut to 30 days if he obtains an evaluation and is eligible for chemical dependency treatment.

Overcast shot and killed two bull elk with a 22-250 rifle from his vehicle while driving on Lloyd Road in Blaine County, court documents say. He shot the elk Feb. 11, out of season and on property where he did not have permission to hunt.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks asked for the public’s help on Feb. 14, when Region 6 Havre wardens received a tip about a dead bull elk about two miles north of Cow Creek Reservoir, off Lloyd Road south of Chinook.

Wardens responded and found a 7-by-7 bull elk. Another dead 6-by-6 bull elk was found nearby.

After further investigation, wardens determined both elk were shot and left to waste on the hillside, according to an FWP news release.

After his release from jail, Overcast will not be allowed to drink alcohol or go into places where alcohol is sold. He will also be subject to random alcohol and drug testing. In addition, Overcast is ordered to get a chemical dependency and mental health evaluation within 60 days of his release.

Overcast was sentenced for the following: waste of a game animal, two counts; hunting or fishing during closed season, two counts; failure to obtain landowner permission; unlawful hunting from public highway; and hunting from a motor vehicle.