Poachers Sentenced in Big Lost River Valley Poaching Case

The discovery of the headless carcass of a large bull elk in a gravel pit near Moore, Idaho last October has led to the conviction of six individuals on charges of violating a number of wildlife laws. Besides the illegal killing of the elk by spotlighting it at night, shooting it in the spine, and finishing it off with a knife, some of these individuals also participated in the illegal killing of four mule deer (three bucks, one doe), and two antelope. Most of the animals were taken out-of-season with the use of a spotlight at night. A total of $25,950 in civil penalties has been assessed in this case. In addition, $4,600 in fines and court costs has also been assessed. Hunting license revocations, jail sentences, and community service time were also meted out by the magistrate. Pleading guilty to spotlighting big game was Cody Garner, 22 of Arco; John Cronquist, 16 of Moore; and Ashley Smith, 17 of Moore. Cronquist also pled guilty to the possession of an unlawfully taken mule deer buck and received civil penalties, fines, a 30-day jail term and three-year revocation of his hunting privileges. Josh Curtis, 16 of Moore pled guilty to transferring his deer tag and received a fine and a 1-year hunting license revocation. Steve Lusk, 17 of Arco pled guilty to taking big game during a closed season by stabbing the elk to death and taking a mule deer during a closed season. Lusk faces civil penalties, fines, a 30-day jail term, two years probation, and a 3-year loss of his hunting license. Damian Coon, 18 of Moore was charged with and pled guilty to one felony count with elements of the unlawful killing of a 6X6 bull elk; a 4X4 mule deer; a 2X2 mule deer; a 4X5 mule deer; a mule deer doe; and two antelope. Coon faces a 2 - 5 year jail term, $24,283.33 in civil penalties and $1,500 in fines. He has also lost his hunting privileges for 18 years. The court also retained jurisdiction for 180 days and Coon will be serving those 180 days at the North Idaho Correctional Institution. The conviction of these individuals will bring a sense of closure to the officers who have spent endless hours investigating this case. The face that most of those involved are minors is a source of sadness. All of them were required to take a hunter education class where the importance of responsible hunting ethics is emphasized. Obviously, ethics played no role in their flagrant disregard for the animals they killed, the reputation of other hunters and the citizens from who they stole these animals. Their convictions show that violation of wildlife law is serious and that responsible hunter behavior is still a cornerstone upon which the privileges of being a hunter rests. If you or a friend witness illegal hunting activity, take action by calling the Citizens Against Poaching(CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999. You can remain anonymous if you wish and you will be helping to protect Idaho's wildlife heritage.