Originally Posted by
mijinkal
In an interesting twist, White was accompanied by John Lewton, pictured here with White, a taxidermist and self-described sheep zealot who has been charged with trespassing, felony sale of wildlife and use of a two-way radio while sheep hunting. The charges stem from an undercover investigation last year in which Lewton and two accomplices guided an undercover agent to a Missouri Breaks ram that was later killed by the undercover agent. That ram, taken in District 680 just north of Whisky Ridge, scored 204 inches and, had it been taken legally, would have been a contender for the next Montana state record.
The sting operation was sparked by Lewton’s involvement in the harvest of the last nine Governor’s Tag rams in Montana, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Lewton, who is not a licensed outfitter, reportedly invited himself on these hunts, helping the hunters find and field judge record-book rams.
I asked FWP contacts whether Lewton’s involvement with White’s hunt will tarnish the potential record status of the ram. They said it’s too early to tell, but are looking in to the relationship between the two men.
Lewton’s case is expected to go to trial sometime next year.