On August 28, 2014, the Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed thirteen separate Idaho Department of Fish and Game felony charges against three east Idaho men.
Robert D. Huntsman, 54, of Shelley, Idaho, was charged with the unlawful possession of two trophy bull elk, a third bull elk, and one pronghorn antelope. He was also charged with the illegal sale of the antelope and two of the elk.
Jade D. Huntsman, 27, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, was charged with the unlawful possession and sale of one trophy bull elk and one pronghorn antelope.
Robert Chad Huntsman, 29, of Ammon, Idaho, was charged with the unlawful possession and sale of one trophy bull elk.
The charges involved animals allegedly taken by the men dating back to 2010.
Any person who unlawfully kills or has in their possession an unlawfully killed trophy animal can be charged with a felony. For elk, a trophy animal is a bull with a Boone and Crocket score exceeding 300 points. Any person who knowingly and intentionally sells any unlawfully taken animal or its parts can be charged with a separate felony. Idaho Fish and Game felonies are punishable by up to 5 years in state prison, a lifetime suspension of hunting and/or fishing privileges, and up to a $50,000 fine per count.
“The public played a crucial role in bringing these charges. People who thought something wrong was going on took the time to get involved,” said Brandon Chamberlin, regional investigator for Idaho Fish and Game’s southeast region.
Every year Fish and Game investigates hundreds of cases involving the potential illegal take of all types of wildlife. Many of these cases are generated as a result of someone witnessing a wildlife crime and making a call to Fish and Game or to the Citizen’s Against Poaching (CAP) hotline. The CAP hotline phone number is 1-800-632-5999 and is printed on the back of all Fish and Game licenses and tags. Those who call CAP to report a wildlife violation can remain anonymous.
“Fish and Game officers executed three separate search warrants and recovered parts from four animals alleged to have been killed unlawfully” said Scott Wright, regional conservation officer for Idaho Fish and Game’s southeast region. “In addition to a lot of hard work by our officers, the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho Falls Police Department, and the Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office were key to moving this case forward,” added Wright.
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