Turkey Poachers Find Out Cost Per Pound Is Rather High For Transplanted Birds

IDAHO FALLS - IDGF staff and volunteers have worked hard over the last two years to jump start a wild turkey population in the Upper Snake Region. A total of 507 birds have been moved into the area, brought in from other parts of the state. In two separate incidents earlier this spring, the number of birds was reduced by at least four because of poaching. In recent court cases in both Bonneville and Jefferson counties, local judges sent a clear message that messing with transplanted turkeys is a costly proposition. In Bonneville County, Judge Luke found Daniel Braaten of Irwin guilty of shooting one of the newly transplanted toms. Between fines, civil penalties and court costs the tab came to $1,142. Additionally, Braaten had his hunting license suspended for one year. In Jefferson County, Judge Kennedy dealt with a seventeen year-old that killed three recently transplanted gobblers. While the court agreed to withhold the name of the youth, punishment for the crimes committed was not diluted. Under terms of the agreement, the youth will plead guilty to three counts of taking closed season and receive a total of $963 in civil penalties and court costs. Additionally, the violator will lose his hunting privileges for three years. During the first year of the suspension the judge additionally ordered that the offender couldn't even be in the presence of someone hunting or a hunting camp. The offender was also instructed to take part in a remedial hunter education program and perform 30 hours of community service. Ten hours of the community service is to involve having the youth speak before six hunter education classes, explaining the nature of his crime and why it was wrong. The remaining 20 hours are to be performing service projects in cooperation with Pheasants Forever or Ducks Unlimited. If the individual performs all of the court required activities to the satisfaction of IDFG the length of the license revocation may be shortened. Likewise, failure to meet the stipulations set forth by the judge could result in a reversal of the fines currently suspended. During the course of the investigation surrounding the Rigby incident, Senior Conservation Officer Dan Duggan found out that the violator had not only run afoul of IDFG regulations, but of a set of higher authorities. "At the time he shot the birds he was supposed to be in church, but told his mother that he was sick and couldn't go." Said Duggan.