Dustin Noble, owner of Noble Outdoors in North Platte, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 22 months in federal prison for conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. The sentencing took place on September 4, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis also ordered Noble to pay $179,680 in restitution and imposed a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. In addition to these penalties, Noble must forfeit multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. He is prohibited from hunting, fishing, trapping, guiding, outfitting or associating with those engaged in such activities for 25 years and cannot participate in taxidermy services for 10 years.
The Lacey Act prohibits illegal wildlife trafficking across state or international borders and has been enforced for over a century. A joint investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Law Enforcement and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission determined that between 2015 and 2021, Noble provided illegal hunting and guiding services through his business. He also operated a commercial taxidermy service that included clients who had participated in unlawful hunts.
Investigators found that Noble charged clients between $1,200 and $4,000 depending on the species targeted during guided hunts conducted in Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties. Clients were found to have violated Nebraska hunting laws by taking mule deer and wild turkeys using prohibited methods such as firearm suppressors and thermal optics; hunting at night or out of season; shooting from roadways; and entering private property without permission. State law restricts firearm use during archery season for deer hunting and requires landowner consent to hunt on private land.
Authorities substantiated 114 unlawful hunts led by Noble during the conspiracy period—most occurring between 2018 and 2020—and identified more than twelve species involved. These included 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, four pronghorns, three white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake as well as various birds and game fish.
Prior to this case, Noble had already faced charges related to wildlife violations in Dawson County Court in February 2014. He was convicted on ten counts after being charged with seventy-one offenses by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. As part of his earlier sentence he received a ten-year revocation of his hunting privileges within Nebraska but continued illegal activities while under this restriction.
To date nineteen defendants connected with violations involving Noble Outdoors have been sentenced collectively paying over $255,000 in fines or restitution related to interstate transport of illegally taken wildlife. Authorities seized more than fifty trophy antlers or mounts from twenty-seven clients or associates linked to the case.
United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods stated: “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.”
Colonel Jeff Clauson of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission added: “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.”
Assistant Director Doug Ault from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service commented: “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 & 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 pursuingand apprehending those who profit fromthe illegal exploitationof our natural resources while underminingthe legacyof ethicalhunting.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by federal authorities from U.S.FishandWildlifeServiceandtheNebraskaGameandParksCommissionLawEnforcementDivision.
