Man fined $500 for illegal heli-fishing trip in Bob Marshall
This cell phone photo provided to the Hungry Horse News appears to show a couple who allegedly flew into the Bob Marshall Wilderness and landed on the South Fork of the Flathead River bank to do some fishing.
The pilot of a helicopter that landed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness illegally and went on a fishing excursion with his wife was fined $500 in federal court, far less than what wilderness advocates were seeking.
Samuel L. Schwerin, 48, of Bozeman, received the notice for the violation, a federal misdemeanor, after landing a helicopter on the South Fork of the Flathead River in the Bob Marshall Wilderness on May 16.
The U.S. Forest Service investigated the incident after receiving a report on May 19 by a person traveling on horseback and who saw a helicopter parked on a gravel bar on the South Fork of the Flathead River.
The Forest Service, in consultation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, issued Schwerin the violation notice, which was processed on June 12 through the U.S. Courts’ Central Violations Bureau. The CVB handles violation notices issued and processes payments for infractions committed on federal property. Under federal law, the maximum penalty is a $500 fine, six months in prison or both, according to a release by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Wilderness advocates wanted Schwerin’s pilot’s license revoked as well as his fishing license.
Schwerin was not sentenced to prison.
Schwerin was with his wife, Sara, who is also a pilot. The couple later issued an apology.
But the men who found the Schwerins said the couple acted like it was no big deal.
“We asked this guy if this was his helicopter, his reply was ‘ya nice way to go ha.’ My friend replies with ‘what makes you think that’s OK to park in the wilderness?’ His reply was, ‘we are below the high water line. It’s OK. Please move along. And if there’s any problems you have our tail numbers,’” John, who asked that his last name not be used for fear of retribution, told the Hungry Horse News a few days after the incident.
“Wilderness areas were created to be free of motorized activity, including helicopters. Montanans cherish places like the Bob Marshall not only for their spectacular mountains, rivers, meadows and wildlife but also for the quiet and solitude they provide. People who violate the wilderness regulations will be investigated and prosecuted,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said in a release.
“We take concerns about the proper use of our national forests and wilderness areas very seriously,” said Flathead National Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele. “Many members of the public took the time to share their thoughts on the incident and their appreciation for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. It is a world-renowned jewel that plays an important role in our landscape level ecosystem and our tourism economy.”
“We appreciate the public reporting these types of incidents so our Forest Service law enforcement professionals and partners at the Department of Justice can investigate and appropriately prosecute them,” Steele added.