Appalling Deer Poaching Bust Near The Idaho-Montana Border

From a called-in tip to heads being found to an investigation to charges being filed.

Kudos from Montana to our neighbors in the Idaho Fish and Game, who followed the trail of leads through the Idaho panhandle. And that could take us to what most hunters would probably hope is a really harsh sentence.

Thanks to a tip submitted through the Idaho Fish and Game’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline concerning two suspicious deer heads, an investigation ensued that led to charges being filed agains two Saint Maries men. They were recently charged  with 8 felonies related to the alleged unlawful take of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks.

The investigation was conducted by Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers in the Panhandle Region and resulted in documentation of 56 wildlife violations. Alleged violations were reviewed and final felony charges filed by the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office.

It is alleged that all seven deer were illegally killed during November, 2024, and five of the seven deer were killed in a single 24-hour period. Three of the bucks were classified as trophy white-tailed deer, which carries higher penalties than a non-trophy classification.

All deer were taken outside of legal shootings hours, and the meat from three deer was left to waste.

Because the case remains open with only charges filed against the defendants, more information is not available at this time. Additional details will be released upon conclusion of the case.

Idaho Fish and Game wanted to make sure we said thanks to the public for being diligent in reporting potential wildlife crimes and helping to "preserve, protect, perpetuate and manage the incredible fish and wildlife to which Idaho is home."