HARDIN, Mont. – Three men from Big Horn County are accused of illegally killing several bull elk and a mule deer buck in the Sarpy Creek area between 2022 and 2023.

Charges were filed in Montana’s 22nd Judicial District Court by a special prosecutor, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) in a release .

The investigation began after reports of a headless elk carcass were made to FWP wardens.

The wardens said the group killed several large bull elk in Hunting District 702 during a closed season without landowner permission. They’re also accused of killing a mule deer buck without licenses or permission.

Multiple search warrants were executed during the investigation, seizing several mounts of the unlawfully killed animals, FWP said.

The men face 33 charges in total, in

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