Three East Idaho Poachers Sentenced

On December 3, 2014, sentences were handed down by the Honorable Charles L. Roos in Bingham County court to three east Idaho men charged with felony wildlife violations dating back to 2010. Robert D. Huntsman (52) of Shelley, Idaho, pleaded guilty in Bingham County court on December 3 to two counts of unlawfully possessing two trophy bull elk, unlawfully possessing a pronghorn antelope, and unlawfully possessing two or more big game animals in a twelve-month period. He was sentenced to $14,715 in fines and restitution, 8 years of probation and suspension of his hunting privileges for life during which time he cannot accompany anyone in the field while hunting. Jade D. Huntsman (28) of Shelley, Idaho, pleaded guilty in Bingham County court to unlawfully possessing a trophy elk and a pronghorn antelope. He was sentenced to $4,880 in fines and restitution, 4 years probation, and suspension of his hunting privileges for seven years during which time he cannot accompany anyone in the field while hunting. Robert Chad Huntsman (29) of Ammon, Idaho, pleaded guilty in Bingham County court to possessing a trophy elk unlawfully. His sentence included $3,720 in fines and restitution, 2 years probation, and suspension of his hunting privileges for 5 years during which time he cannot accompany anyone in the field while hunting. Any person who unlawfully kills or has in their possession an unlawfully killed trophy animal can be charged with a felony. For elk, a trophy animal is a bull with a Boone and Crocket score exceeding 300 points. Any person who knowingly and intentionally sells any unlawfully taken animal or its parts can be charged with a separate felony. Idaho Fish and Game felonies are punishable by up to 5 years in state prison, a lifetime suspension of hunting and/or fishing privileges, and up to a $50,000 fine per count. Every year Fish and Game investigates hundreds of cases involving the potential illegal take of all types of wildlife. Many of these cases are generated as a result of someone witnessing a wildlife crime and making a call to Fish and Game or to the Citizen's Against Poaching (CAP) hotline. The CAP hotline phone number is 1-800-632-5999 and is printed on the back of all Fish and Game licenses and tags. Those who call CAP to report a wildlife violation can remain anonymous.