Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Hunt and Kill Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Hawks

Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana Travis John Branson, aged 49, was sentenced on October 31st to a term of three years and ten months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for conspiring to hunt and kill bald eagles, golden eagles, and hawks on the Flathead Indian Reservation, with the intention of selling these birds on the black market. Additionally, Branson has been ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $777,250. In March, Travis John Branson, of Cusick, Washington, and formerly of the Flathead Reservation, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, as well as violations of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act prohibits the interstate commerce of wildlife that has been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold under either federal or state law. Furthermore, this legislation makes it unlawful for any individual to create or submit false records, accounts, or labels for wildlife intended for interstate or international transport. “The bald eagle, adopted as America’s national symbol in 1782, represents our country’s core ideals of freedom, strength, and justice,” U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich said in a press release. “Once on the brink of extinction, eagles recovered only because of conservation efforts by the American people and federal laws protecting them. None of that mattered to Travis Branson. Instead, Branson went on self-described ‘killing sprees’ for thousands of eagles and hawks, butchered them, and sold the parts and feathers for profit on the black market. He knew he was committing felonies and even joked his cost to kill them was the price of a bullet. But his conduct was no laughing matter. With today’s sentence, the cost to Branson was more than a bunch of bullets – he forfeited the very freedom the bald eagle symbolizes.” “The unlawful killing of these majestic birds violates federal law and is a profound offense against our nation's cherished natural heritage,” stated Edward Grace, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement in the press release. “Travis Branson's blatant disregard for the law and the sanctity of these protected species highlights the urgent need for stringent enforcement and greater public awareness regarding wildlife trafficking. His actions are particularly egregious, considering the significant number of bald and golden eagles he killed for personal profit, and such behavior will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect America's wildlife and hold accountable all who are engaged in these illicit activities.” In court documents, the government alleged that from approximately January 2015 to March 2021, Branson and accomplices engaged in the unlawful hunting and killing of eagles on the Flathead Reservation. Following these activities, Branson sold the eagles on the black market throughout the United States and internationally. He traveled from Washington to the Flathead Reservation, where he met his co-defendant, Simon Paul. Together, Branson and Paul would shoot, transport, and ship both bald and golden eagles for future illicit sales. It should be noted that co-defendant Paul currently remains at large. The government is seeking restitution in the amount of $5,000 per eagle and $1,750 per hawk. It is estimated that between 2009 and 2021, Branson generated profits ranging from $180,000 to $360,000 from the sale of eagle feathers and other parts on the black market. The government’s investigation showed that Branson and others killed approximately 3,600 birds during the conspiracy. At least 118 eagles and 107 hawks killed were directly traceable to Branson and documented through his own text messages. Law enforcement also recovered text messages from Branson stating he was specifically looking to shoot a baby eagle. According to the press release, not only did Branson kill eagles, but he also butchered them into pieces to sell. On March 13, 2021, Branson shot and killed a golden eagle near Polson. Law enforcement stopped Branson and recovered from Branson’s vehicle the feet and feathers of the golden eagle and later recovered the remainder of the carcass in a field. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Fish and Game Department conducted the investigation. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided. The court ordered Branson to self-report to the Bureau of Prisons. Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana