Montana Man Sentenced for Illegally Breeding Hybrid Sheep for Trophy Hunting

An 81-year-old man from Montana has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for his role in creating hybrid sheep for trophy hunting. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth of Vaughn, Montana, was found guilty of using tissue and testicles from Marco Polo sheep hunted in Central Asia and the United States to breed hybrid animals on private ranches in Texas and Minnesota. These sheep were intended for captive hunting, where trophy hunters pay to shoot rare or exotic animals in enclosed environments.

During the sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris expressed difficulty in determining a punishment. He considered Schubarth’s age and clean criminal record but ultimately decided that a prison sentence was necessary to deter others from manipulating animal genetics. Along with the prison term, Schubarth was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $4,000 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Schubarth will report to a federal medical facility for his prison term.

Before the sentencing, Schubarth expressed regret, stating, “I will have to work the rest of my life to repair everything I’ve done.” His attorney, Jason Holden, described the experience as devastating for Schubarth, saying it has “ruined his life, reputation, and family.” Schubarth’s breeding project began in 2013 after illegally importing tissue from a Marco Polo sheep hunted in Kyrgyzstan. Marco Polo sheep are one of the largest species of sheep, known for their massive curled horns that can reach up to five feet in length. Schubarth cloned the animal, which he named the Montana Mountain King (MMK), and used the clone to breed a larger hybrid species for hunting ranches.

While Schubarth’s defense argued that he had always cared for animals and was a hardworking man, the prosecution highlighted the scope of his illegal activities. Sarah Brown, an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, emphasized that Schubarth’s operation extended across multiple states and posed risks to wildlife. She described his actions as deliberate and calculated, involving numerous illegal acts.

Schubarth owns Sun River Enterprises LLC, a large ranch in Montana that specializes in breeding alternative livestock like mountain sheep and goats. His business supplied animals for private hunting preserves, where people paid to hunt captive game. Schubarth had been in the game farming business since 1987 but pleaded guilty in March to charges related to the illegal breeding scheme.

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