The crew of a U.S. military UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter will stand trial after carrying out an illegal landing to collect elk antlers on a private ranch in Montana.
The incident took place in May 2025. According to Task & Purpose, Chief Warrant Officer Deni Lynn Draper, the military helicopter’s pilot, landed on the ranch to recover antlers and a skull that the crew had spotted from the air during a training mission.
He pleaded guilty to trespassing charges and accepted a plea deal, paying a $500 fine.
National Guard officials said the pilot could also face disciplinary action within his unit for “misuse of government property.”
According to neighbors of the ranch owner, the crew collected two sets of antlers and one antlered skull, Sheriff Alan Ronneberg said.
The two other crew members, Michael Vincent Bray and Perry Ray Woodland, pleaded not guilty and may be tried by a jury.
Photo: US Army. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
