Thanks to Tip, Officers Nab Moose Poachers

Thanks to the quick actions of a group of hunters, Idaho Fish and Game Conservation Officers Mark Rhodes and Mark Sands were able to act on the tip, locate, interview and cite two poachers for killing a cow moose without a permit. Each officer, working independently in the Weippe area, received a report from Clearwater County Dispatch that the poachers, driving a "brown ford pickup with a three wheeler and a missing tailgate," shot and left a cow moose near the Beaver Creek Divide road north of Headquarters, Idaho. Less than an hour later, the officers met with Rex Summerfield of the Clearwater County Sheriff's Department who had already located the suspect's camp and the location of the poached moose. With Summerfield's assistance, Rhodes contacted and interviewed the suspects while Sands field dressed the adult cow moose. After a lengthy interview, Darrell Stewart of Kendrick, and David Umphenour of Weippe, confessed to shooting and leaving the moose. Both were cited for the crime. On November 13, after pleading guilty, Clearwater County Judge fined each man $571 and revoked their Idaho hunting privileges for one year. The men also have to split a $1500 civil penalty and $175 processing fee. According to Idaho Code, fines for the illegal take, waste or possession of a cow moose range from $500 to $1000, a $1500 civil penalty, and license revocations ranging from 1 to 3 years. If a trophy male or multiple animals are killed unlawfully, civil penalties can be in the thousands of dollars and revocation periods can be even more extensive. Conservation Officer Mark Rhodes said. "The real credit goes to the concerned hunters that acted quickly and reported this crime. Without their help, the cow would have spoiled and the violators would have gone free." IDFG urges anyone who has information about wildlife violation to contact their local Conservation Officer, Sheriff's Office, or call the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. To report wildlife violations outside Idaho, call 1-800-800-WARDEN. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.