A four-year investigation that began with tips from the public led to the conviction and severe sentencing of a serial poacher in Montana.
Jason Rulon Davis of Corvallis was convicted of five felonies and 13 misdemeanors that will keep him in prison for a minimum of five years, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported Friday.
Davis was also handed a lifetime ban on fishing, hunting and trapping, and was ordered to pay restitution and court fees totaling more than $50,000.
“These crimes were extensive and spanned many years, and we appreciate the time and effort that the Ravalli County attorney’s office invested to prosecute this case and hold Jason Davis accountable for his actions,” said FWP Region 2 Warden Captain Kyle Miller.
Davis, who
had a history of hunting violations and loss of privileges, was found guilty of unlawful possession and related charges for six game animals, including three trophy mule deer bucks, two trophy white-tailed bucks, and a mountain lion.
He helped others, including his son, with unlawful hunting-related activities, and was found guilty of five felonies for unlawfully possessing, shipping, and transporting poached deer, along with misdemeanor accountability charges of hunting without licenses, and over-limit of deer in a hunting season.
In the incident with his son, Davis helped his son shoot a mule deer buck in Trophy Hunting District 270 without a permit, from the roadway, and after dark aided by artificial light. The mule deer buck had a Boone & Crockett gross score of over 197 inches.
Davis and his son removed the head and antlers of the deer, and left the carcass to waste.
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At his August sentencing, Davis received a combined sentence of 31½ years with certain portions to run concurrently, resulting in a 15-year prison sentence. But the judge imposed a strict five-year parole restriction, meaning Davis will not be eligible for parole until August 2031.
Once released from prison, Davis will be prohibited from accompanying anyone hunting, fishing or trapping, and barred from entering public or private lands where hunting is permitted, including the FWP Block Management Areas, for the duration of his sentence.
On the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Facebook page, the public praised the outcome. Among the comments:
“Finally, a poacher getting a sentence instead of a hand slap.”
“About time.”
“Hurrah.”
“Glad to see people doing their job.”
“Thank you FWP for doing a great job.”
“Good!”
Accompanying photo shows FWP Criminal Investigator Justin Singleterry, Ravalli County Prosecutor David Lakin and Warden Sergeant Lou Royce with some of the evidence from the Davis Case.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Serial poacher to spend 5 years in prison for wildlife crime spree
