Man Sentenced in Eagle, Hawk Trafficking Case

A Washington state man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for leading a wildlife trafficking ring that killed thousands of eagles and hawks on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.

At a Glance

Travis John Branson has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for wildlife trafficking.
The trafficking ring killed at least 118 eagles, 107 hawks, and up to 3,600 birds overall.
Branson was ordered to pay $777,250 in restitution.
Operations extended to Nevada and Idaho, active since 2009.
The second defendant, Simon Paul, remains at large.

Extensive Wildlife Trafficking Operation Uncovered

Travis John Branson, the leader of a wildlife trafficking ring operating on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, has been sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison. The operation, which had been active since 2009, targeted eagles and hawks, killing hundreds of birds annually to sell their parts on the black market. Investigators found that at least 118 eagles and 107 hawks were among the victims, with estimates suggesting up to 3,600 birds may have been killed overall.

The trafficking ring exploited the high demand for eagle feathers among tribal members, who use them in powwows and sacred ceremonies. Juvenile golden eagles were particularly sought after for their distinctive black and white feathers. The operation’s methods were brutal and calculated, involving setting out carcasses to attract eagles and shooting hawks from power poles.

Decades of Illegal Activity

Evidence presented in court revealed that Branson’s involvement in illegal wildlife trafficking dated back to the 1980s. Text messages recovered by law enforcement showed that he had been killing birds for decades, with operations extending beyond Montana to Nevada and Idaho. Branson was identified as the organizer of the ring, instructing others and arranging sales of bird parts.

“If you had not been caught you’d still be doing it today,” U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen told Branson during sentencing.

The scale of the operation was staggering, with Branson making between $180,000 and $360,000 from selling eagle parts from 2009 to 2021. The government sought restitution values of $5,000 per eagle and $1,750 per hawk, reflecting the significant ecological and cultural impact of these losses.

Legal Consequences and Cultural Impact

Branson pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wildlife trafficking charges. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay $777,250 in restitution and will face three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, with investigations conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Fish and Game Department.

The illegal trade in eagle feathers persists despite law enforcement efforts, having a significant impact on the Flathead Reservation’s ecosystem and cultural practices. While federally recognized tribes can apply for permits to take eagles for religious purposes and obtain feathers from government repositories, the demand far exceeds the legal supply, creating a black market that Branson and his associates exploited.

Ongoing Investigations

As the case against Branson concludes, authorities continue to search for the second defendant, Simon Paul, for whom an arrest warrant has been issued. The extensive nature of this trafficking ring and its long-term operation suggest that further investigations may uncover additional participants or related illegal activities in the region.

The sentencing of Travis John Branson marks a significant victory in the fight against wildlife trafficking, but it also highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting America’s national symbol and other protected bird species from those who would exploit them for profit.