Just how far will Montana game wardens go to investigate a poaching case? In this
particular case, the answer is over 1,500 miles.
Two FWP game wardens from southwest Montana went to the Lone Star State to pursue a
couple suspected of hunting elk and deer without valid licenses on a private ranch near
Twin Bridges over at least six years.
William "Doug" Hudson was recently convicted of hunting deer and elk without valid
licenses, transfer of licenses, over-limit of elk, and unlawful possession and transportation
of big game animals. Faye Hudson was convicted of hunting white-tailed deer without
valid licenses and waste of game.
Based on a call to Montana's poaching hotline, TIP-MONT, game warden Shane Brozovich
investigated and found that William Hudson of Early, Texas, had been coming to Montana
to hunt since 1982, but had not purchased any licenses since 2000. His wife, Faye Hudson,
had hunted with him during the 2005 and 2006 seasons without licenses.
"The call to TIP-MONT was a critical piece that enabled me to start this investigation,"
said Brozovich. "We know this type of illegal activity is taking place here and we're
working on putting an end to it."
As the investigation unfolded, Brozovich learned that the couple was illegally using the
resident hunting licenses of the former ranch owner, Sylvester Seidensticker, who still
resided on the ranch. Seidensticker was charged with transferring his hunting licenses to
William and Faye Hudson.
Brozovich and Regional Investigator Chad Murphy traveled to Texas in January and
assisted a Texas Parks and Wildlife warden in executing a search warrant at t he Hudson
residence. The wardens interviewed the couple and gathered evidence at the residence and
at a nearby warehouse.
The wardens confiscated a trophy 6x6 bull elk rack, 11 non-trophy bull elk racks, 13 mule
deer and white-tailed buck deer racks, and one big horn sheep ram head, which William
Hudson found while hunting in Montana.
While in Texas, the Montana game wardens issued citations and collected $22,530 in bond
for fines and restitution. The restitution for the trophy bull elk alone cost them $8,000.
In addition to the fines and restitution, the couple also lost their hunting privileges in
Montana and 23 other states that are part of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact.
William Hudson lost his privileges for 10 years and Faye Hudson lost hers for 4 years.
"Even though William Hudson got away with this for numerous years, the case is a great
example of how committed FWP is to catching poachers," said Murphy. "We will go to
great lengths to protect the wildlife resources of the state."