MCCLEARY, WA — A McCleary resident is facing potential charges following a joint investigation by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (MFWP) into alleged hunting violations committed in Montana.

According to WDFW, officers assisted MFWP with a large-scale investigation that uncovered multiple violations of Montana law. These included the unlawful wastage of big game animals such as mule deer, the wastage of upland game birds like sharp-tailed grouse, hunting over legal limits, trespassing while hunting, and failure to properly tag harvested animals.

Authorities received information that parts of the illegally taken wildlife had been transported back to Washington. WDFW Officer McOmber obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s McCleary residence. During the search, officers seized several items, including animal skulls, antlers, a shoulder mount, a firearm allegedly used in the violations, and a cellphone.

The following day, Officer McOmber and an MFWP investigator returned to the residence to conduct an interview. The suspect reportedly admitted to several of the offenses under investigation.

WDFW stated that charges will be referred to the prosecutor’s office for unlawful possession of wildlife taken in violation of another state’s laws, a gross misdemeanor in Washington. All evidence collected was turned over to Montana authorities as their investigation continues.