Soda Springs man sentenced for poaching
Idaho Fish and Game announced Thursday that Bart Rhead of Soda Springs was sentenced in Caribou County on March 7 for the illegal killing and wasting of a trophy bull elk.
Soda Springs conservation officers were notified in September 2017 by a sportsman who heard a gunshot just before dark, then saw a large bull elk go over a ridge.
A conservation officer watched as Rhead used a bulldozer to move the trophy bull elk to a location near his property. Rhead removed the antlers, ivory teeth, and hid, then left the rest of the animal to waste.
During their investigation, conservation officers scored the antlers at 363 points, resulting in a trophy status for the bull elk. The carcass had been wrapped in a tarp and pushed off the side of a hill.
Rhead pleaded guilty to two poaching and various trapping violations. During his sentencing, Rhead had his hunting and trapping privileges revoked for life, forfeited his rifle, and was sentenced to pay $12,650 in reimbursement to the state. He also received a 90-day jail term, with 60 days suspended, and 120 hours of community service.
As part of a plea agreement, Rhead also admitted that three bull elk found mounted in his home as well as one mule deer buck were all taken with a rifle during closed seasons. The mounts were confiscated.
