When game wardens Dave Loewen and Randy Arnold received separate tips last fall about some poaching taking place near Canyon Ferry, neither realized that the case would end up involving at least six elk and 30 mule deer.

But six months later, five Townsend residents and one Californian have had their hunting privileges revoked for a total of 54 years and paid fines and restitution adding up to $32,600.

"This was the result of a kind of snowball effect," Loewen said recently. "One call came in regarding an illegal elk from a witness that said this stuff had been going on for years, and Randy started to do some digging.

"It turned out I had received a separate tip on a case in Townsend, and both cases ended up being intertwined."

It's those kind of tips that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is hoping to receive more of through its "Enough is Enough" program. The state agency notes that poaching is a growing problem statewide, which takes place year-round and takes some of Montana's biggest and best game.

While FWP game wardens have broken several major poaching rings in recent years, only 72 wardens cover the state, with each patrolling around 2,000 square miles -- an area about the size of Delaware -- so wardens like Loewen and Arnold say they can't put a major dent in poaching without help.

They noted that last year, the Townsend area district wardens left to take a promotion, so that left the local agency even more short-staffed. The knowledge spread through town like wildfire.

"He had no sooner left than the word was out in Townsend," Loewen said.

"And word was that it was open season all season," Arnold added.

That kind of information kept the two wardens busy for most of the big game hunting season. But they didn't forget those tips.

One informant led Arnold to Dale Doane as the possible shooter of an elk that had been shot illegally then left near Ray Creek, on the east side of Canyon Ferry. The informant also recommended Arnold talk to a second unidentified informant, who had more information on the elk.

That person also told Arnold that four elk had been illegally shot in the same area, and recommended a third person for Arnold to check in with who had more information on what eventually was found to be three illegally harvested elk. One of the informants mentioned that a man named "Scott" driving a beat-up Chevy truck was involved in the shooting.

After interviewing Doane regarding the single elk, the wardens went to the courthouse in Townsend to drop off his ticket. By chance, they started talking to Broadwater County Sheriff's Capt. Wynn Meehan, and asked if he knew anyone named Scott with an older Chevy truck.

"He said Scott Marquardt was who they were looking for, and he was good friends with Scott Olsen, who was right there in the jail" on unrelated fish and game charges, Arnold recalled.

"We had the jailer bring him up then and there, and Scott Olsen confessed to multiple over-limits himself," Loewen added. "Then he gave us detailed information on Scott Marquardt and Joe Wiederholt."

"It was a fortuitous stop," Arnold said.

They received permission to search Olsen's home, and found enough information to obtain a search warrant for Marquardt's home.

From there it became a painstaking case of connecting the dots -- photos, sometimes dated, of people with big game or various mounted racks compared with hunting license information and other details. Loewen said that eventually, Wiederholdt, as well as Marquardt and his wife, Kelly, all admited to illegally killing elk. A California man, Zeek Morales, also apparently was involved at one point in the illegal activities.

The evidence led officials to file a variety of charges by Broadwater County Attorney John Flynn against those involved, ranging from illegally transfering licenses to illegal possession of game animals. The case recently concluded, and penalties included:

Scott Marquardt -- $7,430 fine, $3,000 restitution and loss of hunting privileges for 15 years;

Kelly Marquardt -- $1,005 fine, $500 restitution and loss of hunting privileges for two years;

Scott Olsen -- $4,950 fine, $5,000 restitution and loss of hunting privileges for 18 years;

Joe Wiederholdt -- $5,490 fine, $2,600 restitution and loss of hunting privileges for 15 years;

Dale Doane -- $1,070 fine and loss of hunting privileges for two years. Additional charges may be filed against Doane, the wardens noted.

Zeek Morales -- $1,070 fine, $500 restitution and loss of hunting privileges for two years.

None of the parties involved in the poaching activities could be reached for comment.

Mike Korn, assistant chief of law enforcement for FWP, praised Arnold and Loewen for their tenacity, especially during a busy hunting season while being short-staffed.

"Their district includes the Elkhorns and the Belts, and runs all the way from Three Forks to Wolf Creek," Korn said. "This is a classic example of when vacancy savings work against you. They were crippled by not having a warden in Townsend, but did a great job with this case."

But Loewen and Arnold give most of the credit to the initial caller, who saw something that disgusted him and decided "Enough was Enough."

"Sportsmen as well as hunters are out there and seeing how effective it is to call TIP-MONT, so more people are calling," Loewen said.

He added with a smile that the warden position will be filled in Townsend in time for the 2007 big game hunting season.

To report poaching or other FWP infractions, call 1-800-TIP-MONT (847-6668). Callers can remain anonymous, and may receive a reward of up to $1,000. Around 1,300 people call in tips annually, with about 400 of those coming from the greater Helena area.

Reporter Eve Byron can be reached at 447-4076 or by

e-mail at eve.byron@helenair.com.