BILLINGS— Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is offering a cash reward up to $1,000 for information regarding blow darts found in ducks in the Billings area.

Dani Theis with Montana FWP said Tuesday that the office has received multiple calls reporting the issue over the past year, specifically in Billings areas such as Shiloh Conservation Area and Rose Park.

Watch the report:

Montana wildlife officials offer reward after blow darts found in ducks

Shooting ducks with blow darts is illegal and shooting them in town and off-season is illegal as well.

“Taking migratory birds, ducks included, these mallards, outside of those seasons really puts their populations at risk,” she said.

The blow darts have not immediately killed the ducks, but Theis said it’s likely painful.

“It can’t be good for its quality of life,” she added.

Wildlife officials are also seeking information on a baby fawn deer killed by a blow dart in Roundup on March 23. That incident took place on the 100 block of Fifth Street West.

Theis recommends those with information report it to tipmont.mt.gov.

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 30, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 30 drawing

07-11-31-41-57, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from March 30 drawing

01-21-44-47-48, Star Ball: 04, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from March 30 drawing

09-12-19-24, Bonus: 03

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 30 drawing

07-29-42-67-68, Powerball: 08

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 30 drawing

24-25-32-34-44, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

• Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
• Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
• Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
• Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
• Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
• Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
• Millionaire for Life: 9:15 p.m. MT daily.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

A coalition of Montana press outlets will be allowed to make its argument for unsealing court documents in the trial of a man’s alleged killing of four Anaconda residents last summer, following an order from the Montana Supreme Court. 

The order, handed down last week by Chief Justice Cory Swanson and signed by four other justices, reverses a district court order that had denied the press’ request to take part in the lawsuit to bring the sealed records into public view. 

“The record reflects that the District Court entered the modified sealing order without participation by the media; without an evidentiary hearing; and without specific findings addressing the statutory requirements,” the order states. “We conclude the District Court proceeded under a mistake of law.”

On Aug. 1, Michael Brown walked into the Owl Bar in Anaconda and opened fire, killing four people before fleeing the scene, according to law enforcement. Federal, state and local law enforcement captured Brown following a week-long manhunt. 

Prior to Brown’s apprehension, District Court Judge Jeffrey Dahood sealed all legal documents in the court case, at the request of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith, a move considered unusual by legal experts. 

Dahood unsealed some of the documents on Aug. 29 following a move to modify the sealing order by the state and defendant, but certain pretrial proceedings and records remain inaccessible to the public and the media. 

A group of media organizations sought to become part of the case in a limited capacity, asking the court to vacate its August order, which modified which records remained sealed, arguing that the order violates Montana law and “fails to balance the public and Press’s constitutional right to examine public documents,” but Dahood denied the request. 

The coalition of media organizations comprises The Daily Montanan, Montana Free Press, The Montana Newspaper Association, Montana Broadcasters Association, Lee Enterprises, Inc., which owns and operates five of the state’s largest print newspapers, and the Montana Freedom of Information Coalition. 

Swanson wrote in his March 24 order that Montana’s constitution balances the requirement of the public’s right to know and a defendant’s right to a fair trial, but there are procedures and precedents that must be followed to determine the correct balance. 

One mandatory procedure before records may be sealed is that “the media must be afforded an opportunity to be heard,” according to the court order. 

“The District Court’s refusal to allow (the Press) to be heard directly conflicts with this controlling precedent,” Swanson wrote. 

Swanson also adds the media coalition submitted a motion to appear, which the clerk of court did not add to the public court record, instead transmitting it directly to the district court, which subsequently denied it. 

“The failure to docket (the Press’) motion — despite its submission with the required filing fee — resulted in a judicial ruling on a matter not entered into the public record,” Swanson wrote. “This procedure is inconsistent with Montana law.”

While the order will allow the coalition of press to make their case for unsealing the court documents, the high court did not immediately vacate the modified sealing order, “noting that certain sealed materials may implicate the defendant’s right to a fair trial.” 

The matter is remanded back to the district court for an evidentiary hearing and entry of appropriate findings, with the media organizations allowed to argue to unseal the records.