Noble Sentenced: 22 Months for 114 Illegal Hunts

LINCOLN, NE – Dustin Noble, 46, of North Platte, Nebraska, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment for Conspiracy to violate the Lacey Act. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis handed down the sentence on September 4, 2025, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Noble, the owner of Noble Outdoors, ran a lucrative, but deeply illegal, big game guiding and taxidermy business for years, preying on out-of-state clients willing to pay top dollar for a trophy kill – regardless of the law.

The case, spearheaded by United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods, reveals a brazen operation spanning from 2015 to 2021. Noble didn’t just guide hunts; he orchestrated violations. A joint investigation by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission uncovered 114 unlawful hunts, fueled by payments ranging from $1,200 to $4,000 per client. The hunts took place in Lincoln, Hayes, and Frontier counties, and were characterized by a complete disregard for Nebraska’s hunting regulations.

Noble’s tactics were calculated and callous. Evidence shows he equipped his clients with illegal tools – firearm sound suppressors and thermal optics – and actively encouraged them to break the law. This included shooting from roadways, hunting at night or during closed seasons, and trespassing on private land without permission. He specifically targeted trophy-sized mule deer, often taking them during the early season when their antlers were still in velvet. The operation wasn’t limited to deer; the investigation cataloged the unlawful taking of over 12 species, including 61 mule deer, 33 wild turkeys, 4 pronghorn, 3 white-tailed deer, an American alligator, a timber rattlesnake, and a variety of other game animals.

The financial impact of Noble’s crimes is significant. He’s been ordered to pay restitution totaling $179,680. Beyond the monetary penalty, Noble will forfeit multiple unlawfully taken wildlife taxidermy mounts, two crossbows, and several firearms. But the court didn’t stop there. Noble is banned from hunting, fishing, trapping, guiding, or even being *present* while others do, for a full 25 years. He’s also barred from any involvement in taxidermy for 10 years – effectively ending his career. This isn’t Noble’s first brush with the law. Prior to this federal case, he was convicted on 10 counts in Dawson County Court in 2014, resulting in a 10-year revocation of his hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges.

The Lacey Act, a 125-year-old federal law, aims to protect the nation’s wildlife. In this case, it served as the legal backbone to dismantle a criminal enterprise that exploited Nebraska’s natural resources for profit. The investigation demonstrates a clear pattern of deliberate, repeated offenses. Noble wasn’t a hunter who made mistakes; he was a businessman who knowingly and systematically broke the law to line his pockets, showing a blatant disrespect for conservation efforts and the principles of fair chase.

Following his release, Noble will also serve a three-year term of supervised release. This case serves as a stark warning: those who profit from wildlife crime will be pursued and held accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.