Swan shooter charged

PABLO — Two men have been fined for shooting a trumpeter swan with a high-powered rifle earlier this year.

Leroy Charles and Timothy Brantner had been cited into Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Court on charges related to the incident, according to a news release from the tribes.

The dead swan was found Jan. 21 near Buffalo Bridge in Lake County.

“These two men shot numerous rounds in a campground from a high-power[ed] rifle shooting across the Lower Flathead River,” said tribal attorney Larry Ginnings, who prosecuted the case.

Charles admitted guilt to three charges: negligent discharge of a firearm, taking a species closed to hunting, and hunting by a nontribal member outside of season and bag limits.

He was fined $500 for each count plus an additional $1,500 for restitution for the trumpeter swan.

Additionally, Charles’ bird-hunting, fishing and recreational privileges on tribal lands were suspended for five years.

Brantner did not appear in Tribal Court and was given a default judgment.

Brantner was fined $100 for recreating on tribal land without a valid permit and fined $500 for negligent discharge of a firearm. His privileges to bird-hunt, fish and recreate on tribal lands were suspended for one year.

Chief Judge Winona Tanner “afforded Mr. Charles an opportunity to explain himself and he had no explanation for his behavior,” Ginnings said. “Judge Tanner on behalf of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes imposed the maximum penalty under the law because this was such a senseless act.”

Collaboration between Tribal Conservation Officer and Investigator Mike McElderry and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Warden Ron Howell led to the citations against Charles and Brantner.

Tribal and state officials thanked the public for using the Tip-Mont hotline to report information that led to the successful prosecution of this case.

To report violations or if you have any questions, call Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks at 1-800-TIP-MONT or CSKT dispatch at 675-4700.