Wildlife Crimestoppers Stories

Nebraska’s Wildlife Crimestoppers program lets people anonymously report game law violations—and sometimes earn rewards. Evidence collected by conservation officers often ends up in the Wildlife Crimestoppers trailer, where it’s showcased at local events to educate and share real-life crime stories.

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“Operation No Trace”

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission & U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Joint Wildlife Crime Investigation (2020–2025)
Over the past five years, a sweeping multi-agency investigation into unlawful hunting practices has uncovered and prosecuted one of the largest documented wildlife violations in Nebraska in recent memory. The joint operation, led by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and Nebraska Landowners, has resulted in 18 individuals being sentenced for serious violations of state and federal wildlife laws.

This investigation began in the fall of 2020 following a 2012 NGPC-led case, code-named “Fish Stamp”. The case concluded in 2014 with a 10-year revocation of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges for Dustin Noble. The current case builds upon that legacy and reinforces the importance of responsible, ethical hunting in preserving Nebraska’s wildlife for future generations.

Summary of violations

Between 2020 and 2025, investigative teams documented 114 substantiated unlawful hunts, each reviewed and classified by its most egregious violation. These offenses affected a wide range of wildlife species and habitats across the state.

Key violations include:

• Interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife
• Shooting deer from public roads
• Taking deer and pronghorn without valid permits
• Using firearms during archery-only seasons
• Hunting during nighttime closed hours
• Illegally dumping animal carcasses in waterways
• Trespassing and hunting without landowner permission
• Failure to properly check or register big game

These offenses demonstrate a pattern of blatant disregard for established game laws, ethical hunting standards, and landowner rights. In many cases, these unlawful hunts involved multiple violations, but each was cataloged by its most severe infraction for the purpose of public reporting and legal prosecution.

Investigation and legal action

The case was launched following numerous public and internal tips, and gained momentum in fall 2020 with coordinated field operations. These efforts culminated in the execution of multiple NGPC search warrants in February 2021, resulting in the collection of key evidence that supported a series of successful prosecutions in both state and federal courts beginning in 2022 and continuing into 2025.

Sentencing

Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, was sentenced on September 4, 2025, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska, for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Noble to 22 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Noble’s release from prison, he will begin a three-year term of supervised release. Noble was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $179,680. Pursuant to the terms of a plea agreement, Noble forfeited multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. The Court also ordered that Noble shall not hunt, fish, trap, guide, outfit, or otherwise associate or be in the field with anyone engaged in those activities for 25 years, and shall not conduct, assist, or associate with any fish or wildlife taxidermy activities or be present, or assist with taxidermy services for 10 years.

Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nation’s wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. A joint investigation conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division determined that Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services to paying clients, family, and other associates, many from outside the state of Nebraska, between 2015 and 2021, while operating Noble Outdoors, a big game guiding business in North Platte. Noble also operated a commercial taxidermy business providing services of converting hides, skins, antlers, and other trophy parts of wildlife into taxidermy mounts. Some of Noble’s taxidermy clients included hunters unlawfully guided by Noble.

The investigation determined Noble charged paying clients $1,200 to $4,000 depending upon the target species and conducted the guided hunts in at least Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties in Nebraska. During those hunts Noble’s friends, associates and/or clients agreed with Noble to violate Nebraska hunting laws to take wildlife including mule deer and wild turkeys. Noble employed various tactics and unlawful methods to increase the probability of locating, killing, and acquiring trophy wildlife including using specialized hunting equipment comprised of firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics; taking wildlife from upon or close to the road; taking wildlife during night-time or closed season hours; and hunting upon privately owned properties without the knowledge or permission of the landowner. Under Nebraska state law, hunters are prohibited from possessing firearms or using firearms to hunt deer during the archery season, are prohibited from shooting from or over a roadway, are authorized to hunt only during the legal shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, and must have landowner permission to hunt on private property.

The investigation substantiated 114 unlawful hunts conducted by Noble during the course of the conspiracy with the vast majority occurring between 2018 and 2020. Noble’s unlawful activities primarily targeted trophy-sized mule deer, including early season mule deer in velvet antlers. As revealed by extensive evidence obtained during this investigation, Noble’s illegal hunts included the taking of more than 12 species of wildlife, including most notably: 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and approximately 12 upland game birds, migratory non-game birds, game fish, and furbearing or non-game animals.

Prior to his conduct in this case, Noble was subject to a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission investigation and was charged with 71 counts. He was ultimately convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court, Nebraska, in February 2014. As part of his sentencing, he was subject to a 10-year hunting, fishing, and trapping revocation in the State of Nebraska. The current state/federal investigation revealed extensive and ongoing hunting violations committed, aided, and directed by Noble while his hunting privileges were revoked from his prior state conviction.

The 2025 sentencing marks the near conclusion of the ongoing prosecution of numerous defendants related to violations committed by Noble Outdoors and its owner, associates, and clients between 2015 and 2021. To date, 19 defendants have been sentenced and ordered to pay a more than $255,000 in fines and restitution for state and federal violations related to the interstate transport of unlawfully taken wildlife. The investigation included the seizure and subsequent forfeiture or abandonment of more than 50 trophy wildlife antlers or taxidermy mounts from 27 Noble Outdoors clients or associates.

Wildlife impact

The species most commonly affected included mule deer and whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, turkey, and waterfowl—some of Nebraska’s most iconic and heavily managed wildlife. These animals play critical roles in the state’s ecosystems and outdoor heritage, and their unlawful taking undermines conservation efforts, recreational opportunities, and the economic value of legal hunting.

A message to the public

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, remains committed to enforcing game laws and protecting the integrity of Nebraska’s natural resources. This case should serve as a powerful reminder: wildlife crime will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

The agencies also wish to acknowledge the many ethical hunters, landowners, and citizens who assisted in this investigation by reporting suspicious activity and promoting legal outdoor practices.

United States Attorney Woods said, “This case demonstrates what state and federal law enforcement can accomplish when they join forces and unite in a common pursuit of justice. Wildlife resources should be fairly preserved for the enjoyment of all Nebraskans – both present and future. Noble’s destructive tactics and actions targeted Nebraska’s mule deer populations in a manner that jeopardized the ability of Nebraskans to continue to enjoy a lawful hunting experience in the future. The United States Attorney’s Office is proud to join with our partners at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to ensure that Nebraska’s resources are protected and available to all its citizens equally.”

“This case is a powerful example of the continued collaboration between Nebraska Game and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect our state’s wildlife resources,” said Colonel Jeff Clauson, Chief of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Law Enforcement Division. “Mr. Noble’s unscrupulous tactics targeting mature mule deer bucks for himself and paying clients or associates jeopardized herd health, strong genetics, breeding success, long-term population growth, and effectively stripped away seasons’ worth of hunting opportunity for the public and law-abiding hunting community. Holding wildlife violators accountable like those involved in this case, who demonstrate blatant disregard for game laws, is vital to conserving our state’s wildlife resources and preserving hunting opportunities Nebraskans cherish.”

“This outcome reflects our strong commitment to working with partner law enforcement and wildlife management agencies to protect our Nation’s vital natural resources,” said Assistant Director Doug Ault, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement. “The defendants demonstrated blatant disregard for the law and caused lasting harm to Nebraska’s mule deer populations. We remain steadfast in pursuing and apprehending those who profit from the illegal exploitation of our natural resources while undermining the legacy of ethical hunting.”

Continuing the mission

This investigation reinforces the importance of public trust and the value of Nebraska’s wildlife. As a result, NGPC and FWS will continue to dedicate resources to identifying and dismantling illegal hunting networks while strengthening education and outreach to prevent future violations.

We ask all outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant and to report suspected violations to Nebraska Wildlife Crimestoppers. Together, we can ensure Nebraska’s wildlife remains protected for generations to come.