Silent slaughter: The cost of poaching for hunters, taxpayers

From a "thrill kill" rampage on deer to nine trophy black bears, Lou Royce has investigated many poaching incidents. But it's the unsolved cases that haunt him.

Lee Enterprises sought poaching data and information about the number and nature of unsolved poaching cases. FWP indicated that it does not keep such data or keeps incomplete data.

There are big poaching busts in Montana every year. Here's a list of some of the most heinous cases in the state's recent history.

"Poachers are stealing from hunters, but they are stealing from all of us, whether you hunt or not, because wildlife belongs to all of us."

Prosecutors across Montana say poaching cases are hard to win — and even harder to prove.