Montana Poachers Get Lifetime Hunting Ban

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Two Montana men who hunted from a public highway and stalked game with a spotlight have been banned from hunting and fishing in the state for life.

The Independent Record reports that John Lindow of Craig must also pay $11,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to seven misdemeanor charges on Wednesday.

Steve Bruyere of Stickney Creek pleaded guilty to eight misdemeanor charges and must pay $9,900 in restitution.

Prosecutors say jail time and fines were suspended in lieu of higher restitution amounts at their sentencing Wednesday.

The men were arrested in February 2011 on 24 charges following a three-year investigation by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

Court documents say the probe found evidence of hunting without proper licenses, using two-way radios, using spotlights, and hunting without landowner permissio