By Vicky Runnoe, Regional Conservation Educator, Salmon
In the early morning hours of October 20, senior Idaho Department of Fish and Game conservation officer Dave Silcock of Mackay received a call from a hunter who stated that he had found a dead elk in a gravel pit beside a hayfield near Ram's Horn Canyon. The hunter said that the animal had been shot, its head removed and the meat left to rot. Acting on this tip, officer Silcock called conservation officer Brian Marek of Arco and together they drove to the gravel pit to investigate the hunter's information.
A thorough survey of the gravel pit and adjacent hayfield revealed that the elk had been shot while standing in the hayfield. The animal was wounded by a shot to the spine and stabbed to death in the chest with a knife. Vehicle tracks and drag marks revealed how the dead elk was dragged into the gravel pit where the head was removed and taken. The discovery of this elk marked the uncovering of what appears to be one of the worst poaching cases to have occurred in the Big Lost River Valley in many years. After 28 days of investigation, eight unrelated individuals had been found to have taken part in several different poaching events throughout the area.
Arrested on November 15, on one felony complaint in connection with this investigation was Damian Coon, 18, of Moore, Idaho. Coon has been charged with twelve elements in the Seventh Judicial District Court in Butte County. These charges include:
- Unlawfully killing one 6X6 bull elk by shooting it without a permit or tag and by shooting it at night with the aid of artificial light.
- Unlawfully killing one 2X2 mule deer by shooting it at night with the aid of artificial light and before the deer season opened.
- Unlawfully killing one 4X4 mule deer by shooting it at night with the aid of artificial light.
- Unlawfully killing one 4X5 mule deer by shooting it at night with the aid of artificial light and before the deer season opened.
- Unlawfully killing one doe mule deer.
- Unlawfully killing three antelope without tags one of which was killed at night.
- Wasting of one 6X6 bull elk, one 4X4 mule deer, and three antelope.
If found guilty, Coon will have to reimburse the state of Idaho $9,550.00 in civil penalties. In addition, Coon could face a potential fine of up to $50,000.00; five years in prison; and the loss of all hunting/fishing/and trapping privileges for life. Five of the animals qualify as flagrant violations because they were shot at night. Any flagrant Fish and Game violation may result in the loss of hunting privileges for life. After his arrest, Coon was returned to Butte County were he is currently in jail on a $5,000.00 bond.
Fifteen other citations and/or warnings have been issued to seven other individuals including six minors, all from the Moore/Arco area. These charges include: aiding in the commission of a misdemeanor; failure to validate and attach a deer tag; transfer of a deer tag; possession of unlawfully taken big game; waste of a mule deer; taking of big game during a closed season; and hunting without a tag. Being found guiltyof any of these fish and game misdemeanor charges could result in a fine of up to $1000.00, up to six months in jail and a loss of hunting/fishing/trapping privileges for up to three years.
Seeing these poachers brought to justice is the reward officers Silcock and Marek hope to see, but frustrations remain when these officers know that such activity occurs all the time. "People know about it, they see it, they hear it, but they don't say anything. As a result of this investigation I know for a fact that spotlights have been lighting up fields in the area for at least two months, yet we have not received one call from anyone in the valley reporting it" laments Silcock. Some of the activities occurred very close to several houses and the highway. "I have a real hard time believing that someone did not see questionable activity and failed to report it" remarks Silcock.
Wildlife crimes such as these committed in the Big Lost River Valley are crimes not only against wildlife, but also the citizens of Idaho. The wildlife of this state belongs to all of us and it is the responsibility of all citizens to protect this valuable resource. One disgusted resident was quoted as saying that "he had hunted elk for 22 years trying to get a decent bull elk, and this kid did it illegally in just five minutes."
Whether you are a hunter or someone who appreciates simply seeing wildlife, the illegal activities of this group of people should anger you. Take action and help protect our wildlife by calling your local conservation officer or the Citizens Against Poaching(CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999.
