Plea in elk antler trespassing case

Clancy resident Deni Lynn Draper, a part-time Montana Army National Guard pilot, pleaded no contest last week to trespassing with a Black Hawk military helicopter on a private ranch in the Crazy Mountain foothills to recover elk antlers in May 2025. 

As part of his plea deal made in Sweet Grass County court, Draper, 36, agreed to pay a $500 fine and relinquish any claims to the collected antlers. He also faces potential action from his Montana Guard unit for misuse of government property. 

Two other defendants, Michael Vincent Bray of Helena and Perry Wray Woodland, a Highway Patrolman from Great Falls, pleaded not guilty and face criminal trespass charges. Their jury confirmation hearings begin Jan. 14.