CHINOOK, Mont (NMB) – A Chinook Man was sentenced Wednesday to six months in jail for killing two elk out of season from his vehicle in early February, north of Cow Creek Reservoir, South of Chinook, and leaving the elk to waste.
Blaine County Justice of the Peace Perry Miller sentenced Cameron Dow Overcast to 2 and 1/2 years in jail in the Valley County Detention Center, with all but six months suspended, and ordered Overcast to pay Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks $9000 in restitution. Overcast is also banned from hunting, fishing or trapping for 25 years.
Overcast plead guilty at his March 7th preliminary hearing to seven charges: Two counts of Waste of a Game Animal; Two Counts of Hunting or Fishing during Closed Season; Failure to Obtain Permission to Hunt from a Landowner; Hunting from a Motor Vehicle and Unlawful Hunting from a Public Highway.
Miller said Overcast could be released from jail in 30 days if he is evaluated and is found eligible for substance abuse treatment. Once released, Overcast may not drink alcohol or enter places where alcohol is sold; Be subject to random alcohol and drug tests and must have a mental health and chemical dependency evaluations with 60 days of release
