Cell Phone Call Leads To Poaching Conviction

A call to 911 from a cell phone reporting a possible mule deer poaching incident near White Bird led to the recent conviction of a Parma man. James E. Osborn, 57, pleaded guilty October 31, to killing big game during a closed season and wasteful destruction. He was fined $1,500 and sentenced to one year unsupervised probation and 60 days in jail suspended, and his hunting, trapping and fishing privileges were revoked for one year. The 911 caller reported the poacher, driving an older GMC Suburban, shot a mature mule deer buck from the road and then quickly left the scene, making no attempt to retrieve the animal. A partial license plate number, a physical description of the poacher and the general area of the incident were the only clues officers had. A late-night search of the area, Idaho Department of Fish and Game conservation officers Roy Kinner and Craig Mickelson, with help from U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer Jill Forth, turned up the large four-point mule deer. The buck had been shot through both shoulders and probably did not run after being shot. Within an hour of providing Idaho County police dispatch with the partial license plate number, a possible match on the vehicle was made. A search of Fish and Game's license database revealed the GMC Suburban owners had purchased regular deer tags. But a controlled hunt permit and tag are required to hunt mule deer Big Game Management Unit 14, south of Grangeville where the buck was shot. Mickelson contacted Parma-area conservation officers Brian Marek and Julie Bryant, who later interviewed Osborn. He admitted shooting the deer illegally and leaving it to rot. "The teamwork between the agencies led to a successful prosecution, but the citizen who reported it was the real hero," Mickelson said. "Without that call, this case would not have been made, let alone detected." Fish and Game encourages anyone with information about any illegal wildlife activity to contact local conservation officers, the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline 208-632-5999, or any law enforcement authority. Callers may be eligible for rewards and may remain anonymous. "We rely heavily upon law abiding citizens to provide information that can help us stop this type of illegal activity," said Mickelson. "A vehicle license plate number, even a partial number, and a physical description of the violator can really help in the investigation."