Montana Man Loses Hunting Privileges for 20 Years After Elk Poaching Plea

Michael Jason Letasky of Billings pled guilty earlier this month in Wheatland County District Court to wildlife charges, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said in a release from Billings on Oct. 30 that he will lose hunting privileges for 20 years.

The charges were two counts of unlawful possession of a game animal, two counts of hunting during a closed season and one count of waste of a game animal. He faces over $12,000 in fines and restitution. The 20-year loss applies in Montana and in all other states in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.

His son, Kolton Letasky, lives in Austin, Texas. In Musselshell County Justice Court he pled guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of a game animal and two counts of hunting without a license. His fines and restitution top $3,000, and his hunting privileges end for four years.

The investigation started on Sept. 22, 2025, with a report from two archery hunters in the Little Belt Mountains. They said a man had used a rifle on a large bull elk during archery only season. FWP game wardens and Wheatland County Sheriff’s deputies identified Michael Letasky as the suspect during an investigative traffic stop.

The witnesses led officers to the kill site. The 6x6 bull elk had a Boone and Crockett score of 321 2/8, enough to meet Montana’s trophy restitution requirements. It had been left to waste, and the meat was unfit for human consumption.

“The hunters that witnessed this trophy bull elk unlawfully shot during archery season were rightfully upset and immediately reported the crime to authorities,” said game warden Diego O’Brien, who led the investigation. “They sacrificed their own hunting trip to ensure justice was served, and this case wouldn’t have been possible without their help.”

Wardens then found that Michael Letasky shot a raghorn bull elk with a firearm in the same area during archery only season in 2023. They also found he had an unlawful black bear that he failed to report. Evidence showed Kolton Letasky killed a mule deer buck in 2024 and a bull elk in 2022 in Musselshell County without the required 535-50 mule deer permit or 411-20 elk permit.

Anyone with information about crimes against wildlife or state lands can call the local game warden or 1-800-TIP-MONT, or go to tipmont.mt.gov. FWP says those who report may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.