Deer Decoy Catches Poacher

Hunters have long used wildlife decoys in pursuit of game. Wildlife officers are also using decoys - but in pursuit of poachers. After receiving several reports of hunting violations from both landowners and hunters in Latah County, Fish and Game conservation officers set up a simulated deer on posted agricultural property along the Texas ridge road. At approximately 3:34 p.m. on December 1, a pickup driven by Paul E. Lazier stopped near the simulated deer. Lazier got of out of his truck, aimed across the county road and fired one shot at the decoy. Officer's Clint Rand and Tanna Ragan issued Lazier citations for shooting from a public road and trespassing to hunt in violation of warning signs. Lazier appeared recently in Latah County court before Judge Hamlett, where he was sentenced to $615 in fines and costs and 1-year revocation of his hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. In order to obtain his seized rifle, the court ordered him to pay an additional $450. Aside from the inherent danger in shooting from a vehicle or highway, road hunting for wildlife brings to question the ethical behavior of some hunters. Even though the vast majority of hunters conduct themselves ethically and abide by the laws, those that do not continue to perpetuate a negative image for hunters, according to officers. "Ethical hunters should be outraged by the frequency of wildlife law violations," said Ragan. "There are many, good, ethical hunters in Idaho. Unfortunately, there are a few who seemingly don't care about the future of hunting."