Yes, you heard that right. The Chief of Operations at Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks was put on leave after he was cited for hunting without permission on private property in Lewis and Clark county. It was confirmed that Mike Volesky was cited for the game violation with no other details given. Mike has been a part of FWP since 2004 when Governor Switzer hired him as FWP’s natural resource policy advisor. There was no comment if this leave of absence has anything to do with the current disconnect between the department and its game wardens as the citation is part of what Montana Game Warden duties actually entail. It’s apparent that the warden in Lewis and Clark county didn’t have the chief’s back on this one and cited Mr. Volesky for his violation. I will report back with another blog if details and developments continue with the turmoil developing in Montana’s FWP. 

https://dailymontanan.com/2023/10/13/montana-fwp-chief-of-operations-on-administrative-leave/