CLARKIA — Idaho Fish and Game officers are investigating the illegal killing of four moose in a remote stretch of southern Shoshone County.
According to a release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the animals were killed earlier this month on timberlands owned by PotlatchDeltic. The land is corporately managed and located in a rugged, forested area.
Conservation officers are seeking information about the kill sites and individuals who may have been hunting or transporting moose in the area.
Moose are classified as trophy animals in Idaho, with hunting tags issued through a limited draw system. Hunters who successfully harvest a moose are not eligible to receive another tag, giving the hunt a “once-in-a-lifetime” status. At the time of the incident, moose season was open in the area, with only 12 tags awarded across two hunting zones.
On Thursday, Capt. Seth Green of the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office said the agency is not directly involved in the investigation but has instructed its backcountry deputy to remain vigilant during routine patrols.
Under Idaho law, illegally killing, possessing or wasting a moose can result in felony charges, as moose are valued at $10,000 and any wildlife crime involving more than $1,000 in damages qualifies as a felony. Penalties include a $1,500 fine, $10,000 in restitution, $250 in meat processing fees and $245.50 in court costs.
Offenders may also face up to six months in county jail and three years of supervised probation if the prison sentence is suspended. Hunting and trapping privileges are revoked for life in Idaho and all other states participating in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, which includes every U.S. state except Hawaii.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Fish and Game Clearwater Regional Office at (208) 799-5010, the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at (800) 632-5999, or submit a tip through Fish and Game’s enforcement website. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward if their information leads to an arrest.
Reports can also be made to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 556-1114.
