Cross-border Wildlife Crime Doesn't Pay

By Harry Morse, Southeast Region Conservation Educator Butch Cassidy may have gotten away with robbing banks on the Utah/ Idaho border, but three hunters from Utah who shot a mountain lion in Idaho and claimed it was killed in Utah did not. They paid a total of $3,200 for their illegal acts. Tracking on horseback in rugged border canyons of Utah and Idaho, Utah game wardens picked up the trail of mountain lion hunters Cody F. Robinson, Will C. Russell and Christian Von Nielson of Utah. Wardens found blood on the ground and drag marks where the mountain lion was killed in Idaho and dragged back into Utah. Based on field work and information from a confidential informant, conservation officers interviewed the suspects, confiscated the dead mountain lion and obtained a confession. Working with the information gathered by Utah wardens and Prosecutor Steve Brooks, Idaho conservation officer Paul Alexander helped identify a series of charges under Idaho law. The case was brought before Judge Evans in district Court in Malad. The offenders were sentenced April 10, 2001. Faced with the evidence, one confession, and written testimony, all three hunters pleaded guilty to a series of charges related to the illegal hunt. "The judge sent a clear message to illegal guides and hunters trying to play the border game," Alexander said. "He set down fines and probation that met the severity of the offense." Idaho hunters in border communities have complained of illegal hunting and guiding by Utah residents for big game. Idaho conservation officers search license records each year to find illegal license purchases. Nonresidents illegally purchase resident licenses and tags to avoid the costs of non-resident license and tags. Non resident big game license cost $128.50, deer tags are $235, elk $338.50, bear $235 and mountain lion $235. Nonresident license fees in Utah are correspondingly priced. Guided hunts are strictly regulated in Idaho by the Idaho Guides and Outfitters Board who issue outfitting licenses. Cody Robinson paid $1,050 for a guided mountain lion hunt to Christian Von Nielson. Nielson pleaded guilty to illegal guiding in Idaho. Fines, Penalties and Probation: Cody F. Robinson, Roy, Utah. Civil penalty $400 to IDFG, $350 hunting without a license with $200 suspended; must attend a hunter education class; $350 taking a mountain lion without a license with $200 suspended; and two years loss of hunting and trapping privileges in Idaho. Will C. Russell, Ogden, Utah. $400 illegally killing or possession of a mountain lion, and $500 hunting without a license. Hunting and trapping privileges suspended for one year; $200 taking a mountain lion unlawfully; 24 months court probation; and two years loss of hunting and trapping privileges in Idaho. Christian Von Nielson, West Haven, Utah. Civil penalty $400; Outfitting or guiding without a license $500; hunting without a license $500; $500 hunting without a valid hound permit; $200 taking a mountain lion unlawfully; 32 hours community service; 90 days in jail with 90 days suspended; probation for 24 months and cannot hunt, run dogs, or be with anyone who does; and three years loss of hunting or trapping privileges in Idaho.