Emma Jane Jackson Chronicle Staff Writer
Tip uncovers years of illegal deer hunting in 3 counties | Hunting | bozemandailychronicle.com
Jul 29, 2026
Two men convicted of illegally killing deer across Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson counties will lose their hunting privileges, the result of a yearlong investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
The investigation into Jeremy Michael Hill and Ryan Francis McGuire, both from Harrison, began when a concerned witness learned of a wasted whitetail buck in Hill’s possession and reported it to FWP.
“The investigation revealed evidence that Hill, over a three-year period, killed multiple antlered deer each year. Hill also used hunting licenses issued to family members to tag illegally harvested deer,” a Tuesday press release states. “McGuire aided and abetted Hill as they hunted deer from a vehicle after legal shooting hours.”
Their charges included unlawful possession and waste of game animals, hunting over the limit, spotlighting and hunting from a vehicle and public highway without landowner permission, according to the release.
Hill was sentenced to a 36-month suspension of his hunting and fishing privileges and fines totaling $2,980.
McGuire will lose his privileges for 24 months, and was sentenced to fines totaling $670. Because Montana is part of the interstate wildlife violator compact, both men will also lose their hunting and fishing privileges in all 50 states for the duration of their sentences.
This case demonstrates the importance of concerned citizens reporting wildlife violations to FWP, the release states. Anyone with possible information about crimes against wildlife or state lands is encouraged to submit them to tipmont.mt.gov and may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.