Trespassing Poachers Receive Stiff Sentences

Two men who trespassed to poach deer in Lemhi County won't be legally hunting in Idaho anytime soon. On December 7, 2014, conservation officers received a trespass call from a landowner near the town of Lemhi Idaho, who said hunters had trespassed and shot a deer in their field. The suspects fled the scene with the deer, but were caught by conservation officers on Hwy 33 near I-15. When officers looked in vehicles they found the mule deer from the trespassing complaint, and parts and pieces of four other deer adding up to five total animals for only four hunters. Officers discovered multiple violations in addition to the trespassing, including tagging violations, taking mule deer during closed season, possession of unlawfully taken deer, failing to leave evidence of sex and species naturally attached to the carcass and purchase of a wrong class license. The majority of the deer meat was seized, and DNA samples were taken to determine their species as the mule deer season was closed. At the hunters' abandoned camp officers found three of the deer carcasses. One had only the hind quarters and back-straps removed, while the rest of the meat was left to waste. Officers were unable to locate the fifth deer carcass at that time, but suspected another mule deer had been taken, based on the size of the hind-quarters. Further investigation revealed one hunter was a non-resident who had purchased resident licenses and tags. Officers also learned that same suspect killed a mountain lion in 2009 without a tag. An eventual confession led officers to the carcass of the other mule deer which was taken in the closed season. The suspects had dumped it along the Salmon River, and had left most of the meat, including both front shoulders, to waste. All four men pleaded guilty and received the following sentences: Chad Anderson of Heber City, Utah: Unlawfully taking two or more big game animals within a 12 month period, Wasteful destruction of game, purchase of wrong class licenses and trespassing. - License Revocation: 7 years - Total Fines/ Fees/Restitution: $2,634 - Jail: 180 days with 177 suspended for each charge. - Probation: 2 years - Community service: 40 hours Jessie Jolley of Rupert, Idaho: Trespassing on cultivated private property and taking a mule deer during the closed season. - License Revocation: 5 years - Total Fines/ Fees/Restitution: $1,152 - Jail: 180 days all suspended - Community service: 20 hours - Probation: 2 years Kim Jolley of Rupert, Idaho: Possession/transportation of unlawfully taken wildlife. - License Revocation: 1 year - Total Fines/Fees/ Restitution: $940 - Jail: 180 days all suspended - Probation: 1 year Bret Peterman Paul, Idaho: Failing to leave evidence of sex and/or species naturally attached to carcass. - $72 in fines/fees