Third C-Falls whitetail poacher sentenced

The third of four Columbia Falls men charged with poaching about 19 white-tailed deer near Whitefish in 2012 has been sentenced in Flathead County Justice Court.

All four initially pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges that included waste of game, using artificial light to hunt big game, unlawful possession of big game animals, hunting over the limit, and hunting during a closed season.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens filed the charges on Sept. 27, 2013.

Paul West, 19, was initially charged with nine misdemeanor counts. He pleaded guilty to five and was ordered to pay $2,175 in fines. His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Montana were taken away for two years.

In updated information, Tyler Kellar, 19, pleaded guilty to four of his 24 initial charges on Feb. 25. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in fines and lost his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Montana for four years.

Chase Wilson, 20, pleaded guilty to seven of his 43 initial charges on Feb. 20. He was ordered to pay a total of $3,440 in fines and $2,000 in restitution to FWP.

Wilson was also sentenced to six months in jail, all suspended, and his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges in Montana were taken away for 40 years.

Dillan Erickson, 19, has not been sentenced. He faces 48 charges.