Magistrate Honored for Wildlife Role

The Idaho Wildlife Federation and the Idaho Conservation Officer's Association have picked Valley County Magistrate Henry Boomer for the 2003 Judge of the Year Award. The annual nominees are judges who conservation officers and Federation members believe have demonstrated a concern for wildlife through fair and just handling of poaching cases in their courts. The organizations honor judges they see as tending to be understanding of mistakes, creative in sentencing, and willing to give maximum fines and jail time to those poachers who deserve them. In issuing the award, the organizations noted that Judge Boomer is an active outdoorsman who appreciates the natural resources of Valley County. Judge Boomer lives in McCall and takes advantage of the abundant outdoor activities in the area. The judge takes an active interest in what conservation officers do. Through his participation in salmon fishing on the South Fork of the Salmon, fly-fishing and hiking the Big Creek drainage as well as hunting in the local area, Judge Boomer has gained an intimate firsthand knowledge of the issues and potential problems that occur in Valley county. Text accompanying the award said Judge Boomer adjusts sentencing to the varied nature of wildlife violations and incorporates preventative education into his verdicts. Judge Boomer often solicits input from Valley County Prosecutor Richard Roats and from conservation officers before proceeding with sentencing. The judge sentenced one defendant to write a 500-word essay as a condition of his probation. The topic was why Fish and Game prohibits party hunting. Many salmon season violators have to give back to the resource by being part of a litter pick up work crew on the South Fork Salmon River. Depending on the seriousness of their violation, some spend as much as two days picking up garbage. A handful of hunting season violators have made substantial donations to local hunter education programs, helping to upgrade the rifles and shotguns used by youngsters. "Regardless of the violations, every defendant who enters Judge Boomer's courtroom is treated with respect and dignity. His Honor recognizes the reprehensible nature of intentional poaching and is not reluctant to hand down severe penalties," the text noted.