IDFG Highlights 3 Big Game Poaching Cases

THE FOLLOWING ARE PRESS RELEASES FROM THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

Rexburg man convicted for wildlife violations

After a two-year-long investigation completed by Conservation Officers at Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 46-year-old Nathan Archibald of Rexburg was convicted of multiple wildlife crimes.

Conservation Officers began their investigation into Archibald in December of 2023, after receiving information from a member of the community through the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline. Officers quickly responded to the call, discovering a trophy-class mule deer buck that was illegally shot, hidden, and left.  Later that night, officers contacted Archibald when he returned to retrieve the mule deer buck, which he admitted to killing after dark the previous night.  There was no open season, he had no tag, and his hunting license was revoked at the time.  This incident eventually led to the discovery of additional information regarding several other unlawful animals taken by Archibald between 2021 and 2023. On February 5th, 2024, Officers served a search warrant on Archibald’s home, where a significant amount of physical evidence was recovered to solidify their investigation. 

On Oct. 11th, 2024, IDFG Officers filed charges in two cases against Archibald with the Madison County Prosecutors Office, totaling 6 Felonies and 14 Misdemeanors occurring between Dec. 2021 and Dec. 2023. The charges included six counts of unlawfully killing, possessing or wasting wildlife, four counts of hunting/taking an animal without a valid tag, four counts of hunting while revoked, one count of using the tag of another, one count of hunting with an artificial light, one count of trespassing and one count of possessing/transporting game unlawfully taken. In total, seven white-tailed deer and one mule deer were killed and/or possessed unlawfully. Three of the unlawfully taken deer were considered trophy animals and qualified for enhanced civil penalties.

Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers arrested Archibald on Oct. 21, 2024, for the previously filed charges.  He was released on bond the following day.  Each Misdemeanor charge carried the possibility of up to 6 months in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, and up to a 3-year hunting license revocation. Each Felony charge carried the possibility of up to 5 years in jail, up to a $50,000 fine, and the possibility of a lifetime hunting revocation. Each unlawfully taken deer carried with it a civil penalty, which in this case totaled $14,000. 

At his sentencing hearing, Archibald accepted a plea deal from the Madison County Prosecutor where he pleaded guilty to one felony count for Unlawful Killing, Possessing or Wasting of Wildlife in exchange for the additional 13 charges being dropped and a restitution hearing to be held for the remaining deer. 

Ultimately, Archibald received reduced penalties of 60 days in jail to be served over a six-month period, $7,000 in civil penalties, and a 10-year hunting license revocation. 

“There has been a lot of public interest in this case. We take calls about wildlife crimes very seriously and want to thank everyone who provided information” says Regional Conservation Officer Barry Cummings.  “Our three lead investigators spent over 300 hours following up on leads and putting together a rock-solid case. Idaho’s wildlife belongs to everyone and is a limited resource.  We work hard, every day, to hold to account those individuals who would steal that resource from our citizens.”

The unlawful taking of wildlife in Idaho is a crime against all Idaho citizens. Wildlife crimes like these often begin with a call from concerned hunters who witness blatant violations or suspicious activity and call into Idaho’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline. Callers to the hotline, (800) 632-5999, can report wildlife violations anonymously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Cash rewards are available to callers who provide information leading to the citation of suspected wildlife law violators.

Coeur d’Alene man convicted of unlawful killing of a trophy bull elk in North Idaho

Thanks to a tip submitted through Fish and Game’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline, a Coeur d’Alene man was convicted of a felony for unlawfully taking wildlife

Following a two-day jury trial on June 26 and 27 in Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene resident, Joel Rose was convicted of a felony for the unlawful killing, possession or wasting of wildlife.

Rose illegally killed a trophy-class bull elk with a rifle during an archery-only season on Sept. 10, 2024. The elk was killed near Rose’s residence on private property in the Wolf Lodge area in Kootenai County.

The elk’s unique antler configuration made it an easily recognizable and well-known animal in the area that other hunters had pursued for several years. A Citizen’s Against Poaching tip led to the discovery of a 6.5 mm bullet that was recovered from the hide of the elk, which sparked the investigation.

Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers conducted a search warrant at Rose’s residence for the collection of evidence on Sept. 11, 2024. The investigation revealed that the elk had been killed by two lethal shots from a rifle, and that an arrow had been inserted into the carcass after the animal was already dead.

During the search warrant, a 6.5mm Creedmoor rifle equipped for long-range shooting and with a silencer for sound suppression was seized from Rose’s home. Subsequent ballistic analysis revealed that the rifling characteristics from the seized rifle were consistent with the bullet recovered from the elk hide. Fish and Game conservation officers seized other items for evidence, including antlers and meat from the elk and a bow with arrows.

Additional evidence revealed that Rose had been specifically targeting the trophy-class bull elk during the archery-only season, which overlaps the rutting period for elk in North Idaho. After the elk was killed with a rifle, Rose posed in photos with the elk with an arrow protruding from the carcass. 

In Idaho, the unlawful killing, possession or wasting of wildlife with a single or combined damage assessment of more than $1,000 is a felony. Because the bull elk antlers scored greater than 300 inches using the Boone and Crockett scoring system, it was classified as a “trophy” per Idaho code and had an assessed damage value of $5,000.

Sentencing for the conviction is set for August.

Fish and Game thanks the public for being diligent in reporting potential wildlife crimes and helping to preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage the incredible fish and wildlife to which Idaho is home.

Anyone who observes or has information about any wildlife crime is encouraged to call the Citizen Against Poaching hotline at 1-(800) 632-5999. Information can also be reported online. 

Two Saint Maries men charged for alleged unlawful take of seven white-tailed deer in North Idaho

Thanks to a tip submitted through Fish and Game’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline about two suspicious deer heads, an investigation ensued that led to charges being filed

Two Saint Maries men were charged on June 27 with 8 felonies related to the alleged unlawful take of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks. The investigation was conducted by Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers in the Panhandle Region and resulted in documentation of 56 wildlife violations. Alleged violations were reviewed and final felony charges filed by the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office.

It is alleged that all seven deer were illegally killed during Nov. 2024, and five of the seven deer were killed in a single 24-hour period. Three of the bucks were classified as trophy white-tailed deer, which carries higher penalties than a non-trophy classification.

All deer were taken outside of legal shootings hours, and the meat from three deer was left to waste.

Because the case remains open with only charges filed against the defendants, more information is not available at this time. Additional details will be released upon conclusion of the case.

Fish and Game thanks the public for being diligent in reporting potential wildlife crimes and helping to preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage the incredible fish and wildlife to which Idaho is home.

Anyone who observes or has information about any wildlife crime is encouraged to call the Citizen Against Poaching hotline at 1-(800) 632-5999. Information can also be reported online. 

Citizens Against Poaching monetary rewards are available for individuals who provide credible, detailed information which significantly helps to identify person(s) involved and which leads to any relevant charges for a wildlife crime.

Information about potential wildlife crimes can also be reported to the Panhandle Regional Office at (208) 769-1414.