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Michael Letasky pleaded guilty to five wildlife offenses and was ordered to pay more than $12,000 in fines and give up hunting for 20 years. The investigation began after two bowhunters reported seeing a rifle-killed trophy bull elk during Montana’s 2025 archery season; his son also pleaded guilty to wildlife offenses and lost hunting privileges for four years.
Michael Letasky of Billings has been barred from hunting for 20 years and ordered to pay more than $12,000 in fines after pleading guilty to multiple wildlife offenses, according to Outdoor Life. The investigation began when two bowhunters reported seeing a man shoot a trophy bull elk with a rifle during Montana’s 2025 archery season.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ investigation followed a report that a man had shot a bull elk with a firearm in the Little Belt Mountains in September 2025, during archery season. A traffic stop led authorities to Letasky, who matched the witnesses’ description, Outdoor Life reported. He did not have the elk’s rack or meat. Wardens were unable to recover the meat because the animal had been left to waste.
The bull was a 6×6 elk that met Montana’s trophy standards. State code sets restitution at $8,000 for illegally killing and possessing or wasting a trophy elk, the report said. Letasky also admitted to other offenses: shooting a raghorn elk with a firearm during the 2023 archery season and having an unreported black bear. His guilty pleas covered two counts of unlawful possession of game, two counts of hunting during a closed season and one count of wasting game.
The investigation also uncovered offenses by Letasky’s son, Kolton Letasky of Austin, Texas. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of game and two counts of hunting without a license, relating to a Montana buck killed in 2024 and a Montana bull killed in 2022, according to Outdoor Life. His penalties include more than $3,000 in fines and a four-year hunting ban. The father and son lost a combined 24 years of hunting privileges.
Witness Reports Led to Elk Case
The case shows how reports from people in the field can help wildlife officers investigate violations that might otherwise go undetected. Montana game warden and lead investigator Diego O’Brien told Outdoor Life that the two bowhunters provided information and assistance locating evidence. He said they gave up part of their hunting trip to help authorities.
The penalties also reflect the state’s treatment of trophy wildlife offenses. The reported $8,000 restitution amount for a trophy bull is among the state’s higher wildlife restitution figures; Outdoor Life said only a specified bighorn ram carries a higher amount. The case involved more than the trophy elk, with the elder Letasky’s pleas covering multiple seasons and separate conduct.
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Earlier Hunts Expanded Investigation
Authorities’ inquiry began with the bowhunters’ report of a rifle being used during archery season, but the investigation extended to other alleged violations and earlier hunting activity. Wardens found evidence that Michael Letasky had also shot a raghorn elk in 2023 during archery season and possessed an unreported black bear. Investigators also found evidence concerning his son’s 2022 and 2024 kills.
Outdoor Life reported that the trophy bull’s meat could not be salvaged by the time wardens reached it. The witnesses knew where the animal was, but the delay meant it had already been left to waste. That finding was reflected in one of the elder Letasky’s guilty pleas: wasting game.
“Their quick and accurate reporting and assistance in locating evidence were crucial to this investigation.”
— Diego O’Brien, in a statement quoted by Outdoor Life
Sentencing Details Not Fully Reported
The source report identifies the guilty pleas, fines and hunting bans, but does not provide the court, judge or date of the pleas, or a full breakdown of the elder Letasky’s more than $12,000 in fines. It also does not specify when his 20-year ban begins or whether any other license or possession restrictions apply. The reported account does not include a response from either Letasky.
Hunting Bans Set the Terms
Based on the reported outcomes, Michael Letasky faces a 20-year loss of hunting privileges and more than $12,000 in fines, while Kolton Letasky’s ban lasts four years and his fines exceed $3,000. The source does not identify any further court dates or appeals. Any additional administrative or legal steps, including the effective dates of the bans, were not specified in the report.
Key Questions
Why was Michael Letasky banned from hunting?
He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of game, two counts of hunting during a closed season and one count of wasting game, according to Outdoor Life.
What happened to the trophy elk?
The 6×6 bull was shot with a rifle during archery season, according to the witnesses’ report. By the time wardens could act, the elk’s meat could not be salvaged and had been left to waste.
How did the investigation begin?
Two bowhunters reported seeing a man shoot the bull in the Little Belt Mountains in September 2025. Their description and assistance helped investigators identify evidence, the report said.
What penalties did Kolton Letasky receive?
He pleaded guilty to four counts related to hunting without a license and unlawful possession of game. His penalties include more than $3,000 in fines and a four-year hunting ban.
Source: outdoorlife.com
