Wolf Poaching Carries Federal and State Penalties

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement agents have confirmed that a gray wolf was illegally shot around noon on Tuesday, June 21, south of Banner Summit on Highway 21 between Grandjean Road and Banner Summit. A witness claims to have seen a man with gray hair shoot a wolf that was standing on the road between the two vehicles. The witness did not get a license plate number, but reported observing the shooter standing near a newer-model black (or dark-colored) pickup truck that was pulling a large camp trailer. U.S. Forest Service and Idaho Department of Fish and Game officers later located the carcass of a wolf in that area that appeared to have been shot. If the witness account is correct, the shooter not only faces federal charges resulting in a potential $100,000 fine and a year in jail, but is also subject to prosecution for state violations, including discharging a firearm on a public roadway. Prosecution could result in fines and the loss of hunting and fishing privileges in Idaho for up to 3 years. A reward of up to $2,500.00 may be paid for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the illegal shooting of this wolf. Anyone with information about this case, or any other illegal gray wolf killings, should contact Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement at (208) 378-5333, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999.