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Fish And Game Seeks Public’s Help in Solving Poaching Cases

Posted on: November 01, 2007

POCATELLO – The Southeast Regional Office of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information from the public that may help solve a rash of recent poaching incidents throughout southeast Idaho.

If you have information regarding any of the following wildlife violations, please contact the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline (CAP) at 1-800-632-5999 or the Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 232-4703. Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward if the information leads to an arrest.

● A bull moose was shot and left in Cellars Creek Drainage in Bingham County near Pasa la Coma Girl Scout Camp. The moose was shot sometime around September 26, 2007 and left to waste. A concerned individual reported the moose to Fish and Game on September 28, 2007.

The moose was found intact and the antlers still attached. Someone had sawed off the right antler before conservation officers were able to examine the carcass.

The unlawful killing and wasting of the bull moose, which is considered a trophy species in Idaho, is a felony punishable by $10,000 in reimbursable damages, plus fines and court costs. The penalty is considered a “flagrant violation” which carries a minimum 1-year hunting license revocation and up to a possible lifetime license revocation. Furthermore, state law prohibits the possession of any wildlife parts from an animal which has been unlawfully harvested. Therefore, the person(s) in possession of the sawed-off antler is also in violation of state law.

● On Sunday, October 7th, a large pronghorn (antelope) buck was illegally killed and left to waste on private property on the east side of Bear Lake in an area known as Poverty Flat. Only the large set of horns from the antelope buck was removed.

● Three calf elk were reportedly shot October 15th, opening day of the bull elk season in Unit 75 (Bear River Zone B tag). The incidents apparently occurred in the Skinner Canyon / Pearl Creek area of Bear Lake County. One of the dead calves has been found.

● A large 4-point mule deer buck was shot and left to waste in the Garden Creek Gap area in Bannock County sometime around October 20th.

● An adult mule deer doe was illegally shot and left to waste in Caddy Canyon near the Black Rock area southeast of Pocatello. The incident occurred sometime within the past 10 days.

It is unfortunate that with every hunting season’s success stories and exciting experiences come tales of poaching and wasted wildlife. “Every year we have so many hunters that go out and have a great time enjoying the outdoors— having fun on their hunts in an ethical and legal manner. And then there are those who spend their time stealing wildlife from the rest of Idaho’s citizens,” says Jennifer Jackson, Regional Conservation Educator. “When people commit wildlife violations, even if unintentional, it is best for them to come forward immediately. Honesty goes a long way with the officers. And, it is important to remember that it is never too late to do the right thing,” adds Jackson. Many poaching cases are reported and solved because of information provided by concerned members of the public. That is why the CAP hotline is so important. It provides an anonymous means for getting valuable information to investigating officers, and through the CAP program, rewards are often possible. If you would like to report a hunting violation or information regarding a wildlife crime, please call the CAP Hotline at 1-800-632-5999 or the Fish and Game office in Pocatello at 232-4703. And remember, you can remain anonymous.

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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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