New Details of the Black Hawk Landing on Private MT Ranch

BUTTE, MT - In Montana, we expect to see some unusual things.

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A moose jaywalking in the middle of town. A cow taking a leisurely stroll down a dirt road. Maybe even a bison traffic jam near Yellowstone.

But what you don’t expect to see is a Black Hawk helicopter dropping out of the sky onto your private ranch.

Yes, you read that right.

Earlier this month, three members of the Montana Army National Guard found themselves at the center of what might be the most Montana-style scandal ever: alleged poaching...by helicopter.

A Real "Horn"-swoggle

The bizarre incident took place in Sweet Grass County, where the three Guardsmen were reportedly on a training flight.

According to authorities, the crew spotted a tempting cache of elk antlers from above and decided it was just too good to pass up.

So, what did they do? They set that UH-60 Black Hawk down right in the middle of a privately owned ranch and went off in search of the prize.

To anyone else, this sounds like the start of a very specific country song—or maybe a rejected plotline from Yellowstone.

Unfortunately for the guardsmen, the ranch owner was not in the mood for unexpected rotor wind blowing across his fields. Trespassing charges have now been filed, and while no elk were harmed in the making of this story, a few reputations might be nursing some bruises.

Okay, So Why Did They Do That?

The Montana National Guard confirmed that the flight was supposed to be a routine training exercise.

But somewhere between altitude drills and coordinated landings, it veered into scavenger hunt territory. While Guard officials are cooperating with local law enforcement, the public reaction has been a blend of disbelief and amusement.

Others are wondering if this means they can start calling in Black Hawks during elk season—because hey, it sure beats snowshoeing.

Bigger Than Just Antlers

While this might seem like a quirky moment of poor judgment, the incident does raise questions.

For one, about the use of military equipment during off-the-record excursions. And secondly, about the growing value of elk antlers in the region. Shed hunting has become big business, with some antlers selling for hundreds of dollars depending on their size and condition.

But no matter how valuable those antlers were, it’s hard to argue they were worth a military landing on private land—especially without the landowner’s permission.

A Teachable Moment (With a Punchline)

To their credit, National Guard leadership seems to be treating the situation seriously. Investigations are underway, and one hopes the involved guardsmen will walk away with a better understanding of both aerial navigation and Montana property rights.

And to the landowners of Montana: keep your binoculars ready. Not just for spotting elk, but apparently, for rogue helicopters too.

Because in this great state, anything can happen—even a tactical touchdown in search of a six-point shed.