Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Charged in Elk Poaching Case

An Idaho Fish and Sport commissioner is dealing with a number of misdemeanor expenses 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 looking incident in Fremont County. Expenses embody illegal take of recreation animals, looking with no legitimate tag, looking from a motor vehicle, capturing throughout a public freeway, and trespassing on non-public property to hunt.

In response to courtroom 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 non-public 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 licensed to hunt on the federal property the place one of many elk was killed. Authorities additionally allege the pair didn’t acquire permission to shoot onto non-public land and didn’t make an affordable effort to retrieve one of many animals.

Court docket paperwork point out Harshbarger was driving the car and allegedly suggested the opposite hunter the place to shoot. Idaho legislation prohibits each instantly poaching wildlife and aiding or aiding 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 expenses can also embody civil penalties and suspension of looking privileges for as much as three years.

Harshbarger has pleaded not responsible to all expenses. His subsequent courtroom look is scheduled for April 29. In response to reviews, he has voluntarily stepped away from Fish and Sport Fee duties whereas the case proceeds.

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

If convicted, Harshbarger may face penalties that embody fines, jail time, and the lack of looking 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 out of doors journalist who resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors 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 electronic mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com