Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Ch...

An Idaho Fish and Recreation commissioner is going through a number of misdemeanor fees after authorities say he was concerned within the unlawful killing of two bull elk in japanese Idaho.

Brody Harshbarger, who represents the Higher Snake Area on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, was charged March 6 with seven violations tied to a Dec. 20, 2025 searching incident in Fremont County. Fees embody illegal take of recreation animals, searching with out a legitimate tag, searching from a motorcar, capturing throughout a public freeway, and trespassing on personal property to hunt.

In keeping with court docket data, the case started after a caller contacted the state’s Citizens Against Poaching hotline reporting people capturing at elk close to the Spring Hole boat ramp. Conservation officers and a sheriff’s deputy responded and positioned a useless six-point bull elk on personal property and one other elk on close by Bureau of Reclamation land.

Investigators allege Harshbarger had already crammed his elk tag the earlier weekend and didn’t possess a legitimate tag on the time of the incident. The second hunter reportedly had a tag however was not approved to hunt on the federal property the place one of many elk was killed. Authorities additionally allege the pair didn’t receive permission to shoot onto personal land and did not make an affordable effort to retrieve one of many animals.

Courtroom paperwork point out Harshbarger was driving the automobile and allegedly suggested the opposite hunter the place to shoot. Idaho legislation prohibits each immediately poaching wildlife and aiding or helping in illegal harvest.

Every misdemeanor cost carries a possible penalty of as much as six months in jail and fines as much as $1,000. Some fees might also embody civil penalties and suspension of searching privileges for as much as three years.

Harshbarger has pleaded not responsible to all fees. His subsequent court docket look is scheduled for April 29. In keeping with studies, he has voluntarily stepped away from Fish and Recreation Fee duties whereas the case proceeds.

The Idaho Fish and Recreation Fee is chargeable for overseeing searching and fishing laws, establishing seasons, and managing wildlife coverage throughout the state. Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state senate.

If convicted, Harshbarger might face penalties that embody fines, jail time, and the lack of searching privileges within the state he was appointed to assist handle.

The case stays lively and officers have declined additional remark.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award-winning outside journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outside column for the Slidell Unbiased Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Outside Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com