Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch Lawsuit Could Shut the Whole Operation Down
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch fans are starting to wonder if the team's treasure hunt might be ending for good — and not because they finally struck gold.
A lawsuit filed against Duane Ollinger, star of the Discovery Channel series, could bring the whole operation to a stop.
The case was filed by local authorities, environmental groups, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, accusing Duane of excavating without the proper permits on his 160-acre ranch in eastern Utah. The suit claims the team's heavy machinery, explosives, and drilling are illegal without official mining clearance — and worse, some of the land might not even belong to Duane exclusively.
Court records list the owner as Ollinger Duane ETAL, meaning Duane and other stakeholders. On top of that, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management got involved after disputes emerged that parts of the ranch might sit on federal land. Environmental activists also argue that the digging could contaminate local water supplies and disrupt wildlife.
So far, the courts have issued a temporary injunction stopping any further excavation until ownership and permits are clarified.
Some court records remain sealed, but if the court finds Duane in violation of mining or safety laws, he could face major fines or criminal charges.
Despite the legal drama, the show hasn't stopped filming. Season 5 premiered June 18 on Discovery Channel, with Warner Bros. teasing that the crew is still excavating — for now.
"Yet as they inch closer to the treasure, a deadly radioactive discovery, volatile elements, mysterious trespassers, and secret government operations threaten to halt everything."
The lawsuit isn't the only headache for Duane. The popularity of the show has attracted additional lawsuits from neighboring landowners, making the situation even messier.
Where the Show Stands Now
Season 5 is still rolling, with new episodes airing weekly:
- S5E1: The Flooded Tunnel (June 18, 2025)
Chad dives deep into an underwater passage, uncovering a potential path to the Keyhole Chamber. - S5E2: The Gold Ledger (June 25, 2025)
Chad traces a cavern to a cave hiding a gold ledger linked to an Aztec outpost. - S5E3: Spies in the Skies (July 2, 2025)
Duane investigates strange activity on the ranch and evidence of government UAP monitoring. - S5E4: Something Worth Dying (July 9, 2025)
Aztec relics are discovered in a submerged tunnel. A new hidden entrance is found beneath a meteorite-created fault line. - S5E5: Detonation Threat (July 16, 2025)
The team drills beneath the Armory but uncovers something that could detonate the ranch itself. Duane presses on in search of Aztec gold.
For now, production carries on under legal scrutiny — but if the courts rule against Duane, Blind Frog Ranch might not just lose its treasure hunt — it could lose the ranch itself.