3 charged with felony wildlife violations
Three eastern Idaho men are facing various felony wildlife violations, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game announced Thursday.
The Bonneville County prosecutor filed the charges Aug. 28.
Robert D. Huntsman, 54, of Shelley, was charged with the unlawful possession of two trophy bull elk, a third bull elk and one pronghorn antelope. He was also charged with the illegal sale of the antelope and two of the elk.
Jade D. Huntsman, 27, of Idaho Falls, was charged with the unlawful possession and sale of one trophy bull elk and one pronghorn antelope.
Robert Chad Huntsman, 29, of Ammon, was charged with the unlawful possession and sale of one trophy bull elk.
The charges involved animals allegedly taken by the men since 2010.
“Any person who unlawfully kills or has in their possession an unlawfully killed trophy animal can be charged with a felony,” Fish and Game said in a news release. “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 five years in state prison, a lifetime suspension of hunting and/or fishing privileges, and up to a $50,000 fine per count.”
Fish and Game said the public helped in the investigation.
“People who thought something wrong was going on took the time to get involved,” said Brandon Chamberlin, regional investigator for Idaho Fish and Game’s southeast region.
You can report wildlife violations by contacting Fish and Game or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline. The CAP hotline phone number is (800) 632-5999 and is printed on the back of Idaho hunting licenses and tags.
