A Sidney, Montana man named Arlon Franz pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the illegal killing of a grizzly bear in Alaska. He admitted to shooting the bear a day before the hunting season opened on the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge. Franz was with Richard McAtee of Hungry Horse on the hunt, who was also charged in the case.

McAtee and Franz traveled from Anchorage to Port Moller and then to a lodge where McAtee was providing guiding services. They flew to the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, established a camp, and shot and killed a brown bear on the day before the hunt opened. They falsely claimed to have shot the bear the following day when contacted by investigators. The illegally taken hide was seized by state troopers when it arrived in Anchorage.

McAtee, who is the former owner of Montana Wilderness Lodge, was also charged with conspiracy and violating the Lacey Act. His case is still pending in federal court. Franz, on the other hand, could face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 for his guilty plea in the case.