Fish and Game Nabs Backcountry Violators

A recent undercover operation involving nine conservation officers in northern Idaho resulted in the issuance of multiple citations for various wildlife violations. "We had received several reports of illegal elk hunting activities in the Snow Peak area for the last few years. Lacking any specifics, we decided to commit the necessary manpower and go have a look for ourselves," said Idaho Fish and Game Senior Conservation Officer Jerry Hugo who organized the effort. Dubbed "Operation Snowball", the undercover operation was conducted at the beginning of the elk season in the area of Snow Peak. Snow Peak is the premier landmark within the Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area, southeast of Avery and near the Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area. This pristine wildlife habitat is a checker board of ownership that is co-managed by the US Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG). The primary management objective for the area is to provide a backcountry hunting experience for sportsmen. Hugo reported that a single IDFG Officer may be responsible for patrolling as many as 2000 square miles. "When the two northern Idaho regions commit nine officers to work this area during the height of the elk season, it is a big commitment of manpower," said Hugo. Officers hit the woods in this area just before the either-sex elk season opened and posed as hunters to watch for illegal hunting activities. Two backcountry campsites were established for officers working horseback and other officers who backpacked into the area. Another team of officers watched hunters and their campsites just outside the area of operation. The officers collected evidence on all illegal activities that they detected during the operation. IDFG, The Shoshone County Sheriff's Department, and the US Forest Service served a search warrant on a home in Avery on October 16 and also contacted several resident and non-resident elk hunters near Mammoth Springs Campground that same day. Three hunters from West Virginia and two hunters from Avery, Idaho were cited for various acts of unlawful hunting and the unlawful taking of elk. Charges were also filed for fishing without licenses. "We will commit the manpower and equipment that is necessary to catch violators in our backcountry areas," said Regional Conservation Officer Craig Walker. "This focused enforcement effort is needed in specific areas to target certain poachers from time to time." IDFG encourages anyone with knowledge of any illegal wildlife activity taking place to call their local conservation officer. Let him or her know about the stealing of your game and your backcountry hunting experience. "With patrol areas covering thousands of miles, we rely heavily upon law abiding sportsmen to provide information that can help us put an end to this type of illegal activity," said Hugo. Concerned sportsmen can also call the Citizen's Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999 and remain anonymous.