A reality television star has filed a lawsuit against Wyoming’s hunting agencies, claiming her rights were violated during an investigation into her alleged use of illegal hunting methods.
Melanie Myrtle Peterson, a 57-year-old Texas native, sued the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, alleging they violated her right to privacy.
The agency, along with the Wyoming Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides, filed a motion asking the district court to dismiss Peterson’s ‘baseless’ suit on December 18.
The lawsuit also challenges several state officials who filed a separate motion to dismiss, claiming Peterson sent court summonses to their employers rather than to them.
Peterson won the 2018 edition of ‘Extreme Huntress,’ a reality show where female hunters compete in skills challenges.
Melanie Myrtle Peterson, 57, has sued the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, accusing the agency of violating her right to privacy during an investigation
An investigation was launched into Peterson’s alleged use of illegal hunting methods in 2021
Under the watch of the 57-year-old ‘guide,’ two men allegedly poached a black bear and an antelope
The 57-year-old was arraigned in August 2021, pleading guilty to 19 charges stemming from alleged hunting violations that spanned nearly a decade.
Peterson has pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges. Three of the pleas were Alford pleas, which are not an admission of guilt, but an acknowledgement that the state had enough evidence to convict her.
The huntress’s former clients, Brandon Dailey and Craig Carter, are believed to have poached a black bear and an antelope under her watch respectively.
If Peterson had not pleaded guilty, these men would have been able to testify against her.
Peterson’s complaint names her as ‘one of the most respected female hunters’ in the industry, adding: ‘She was often called upon to use her influence and large social media following to help combat issues that threatened hunting and the right to bear arms.’
Her lawsuit alleges Wyoming Game and Fish wardens showed up at her hunting lodge to interview her in 2019.
Prior to the investigation, Peterson spoke with Wyoming Game and Fish Warden Adam Hymus about getting permission slips for private property access hunting.
Peterson participated in the reality show competition ‘Extreme Huntress’ and won in 2018
Peterson (pictured here with Donald Trump, Jr.) ‘was often called upon to use her influence and large social media following to help combat issues that threatened hunting and the right to bear arms,’ according to her complaint
Hymus allegedly said he could bring the forms the next day. That Sunday morning, Peterson woke to find Hymus and game warden Dustin Kirsch at her door, the complaint states.
The 57-year-old claims she answered all their questions until the agents ‘turned the interview into an interrogation’ by calling her a liar and shouting at her.
The complaint alleges she was not allowed to use her phone or speak with her husband.
Her grandchildren were staying at the lodge at the time. They ‘were all wondering why armed men were in the house,’ the complaint says.
After Peterson was served with search warrants, the 12-year-old children were allegedly questioned ‘to the point of tears.’
Agents seized 11 electronic devices, the complaint says, some of which were returned days later.
Peterson’s hard drive was submitted to the Sublette County Attorney’s Office on September 22, 2021.
After entering a protective order of confidentiality to restrict the release of private information, the office allegedly disclosed more than three terabytes of data, the complaint states.
The 57-year-old alleges she was subject to a surprise raid on her home and electronic devices by Fish and Game agents who ‘turned the interview into an interrogation,’ questioning her grandchildren ‘to the point of tears.’
Peterson alleges that private information from her electronic devices was shared with people outside the investigation, leading to a business deal falling through
Wyoming Fish and Game, along with the Wyoming Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides, have asked the district court to dismiss Peterson’s suit, calling it ‘baseless’
Medical records and attorney-client communications were not redacted, the complaint states.
Furthermore, government employees allegedly shared sensitive information with people outside the scope of the warrant.
The complaint adds that the Sublette County Attorney’s Office admitted that Peterson’s Fourth Amendment rights had been violated in May 2022.
The 57-year-old claims the case affected her business prospects as well.
Two members of the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Guides allegedly spoke about the legal dispute at a dinner party, resulting in an outfitter declining to buy Peterson’s business, she claims.
Wyoming Game and Fish declined to comment on the pending lawsuit, as per policy.