Once Alleged Poacher Now Sues IF&G

Can the IF&G screw up?  Go ask Rex Rammell, right?  Nevermind, don't.  But seriously, we should expect that because people are not perfect, and government agencies are run by people, that government agencies don't always act perfectly.  Wait, government agencies aren't perfect?  Whoa - now that's an eye popper.

One North Idaho man is suing the IF&G in federal court for "civil rights violations, negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, malicious prosecution and slander."  This comes after he was accused of poaching an elk on September 14, 2009, the day before archery season opened.  Eyewitnesses on the date witnessed that they had seen Roland Hall approach a freshly killed elk.

Mr. Hall was apparently with, accompanied by, or somehow associated with Dennis Liermann Jr. on that day when they were seen approaching a couple of poached bulls.  Felony charges were soon brought against both men.  Liermann eventually pled guilty to misdemeanor poaching, and spent a few days in jail.  Charges against Hall were amended several times, and then eventually dropped.

From the Bonner County Daily Bee story:

Hall alleges in the suit that Fish & Game officials knew he was innocent of the crime but pressured his prosecution, withheld exculpatory evidence and issued press releases containing information it knew to be false.

In case you forgot what "exculpatory" means:  applied to evidence which may justify or excuse an accused defendant's actions, and which will tend to show the defendant is not guilty or has no criminal intent.

In other words, Hall believes that IF&G had evidence that he was not guilty.  Amended and then dropped charges would seem to be consistent with that.  But how about the fact that the prosecutors moved to dismiss the case against Hall after the Judge ruled that remarks by Hall to investigators were inadmissible because Hall was not advised of his Miranda Rights?  Oops.

So what is the truth of it all?  Hall claims he did not know that his buddy, Liermann Jr., intended to poach 2 bull elk on the day before the season opened.  Hopefully we'll find out more soon.  Not only is the IF&G the defendent, but so are the two conservation officers involved.

~ J. Bunch

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Rex Rammell Has Disappeared

In my previous post, I relayed a news release from the IF&G, who is seeking to track down the poacher east of Idaho Falls. Apparently somebody shot a spike elk in a cow only season. I was going to joke by replying, "Hmmm. Where's Rex Rammell?" But then I thought, nah - that's not fair to this poacher. I mean, it's not like this person was in the Middle Fork Zone, shooting a spike with a Tex Creek cow tag.

So then I thought I'd google for the latest news on Rex Rammell, something I do for kicks every now and then. Google: no news. Yahoo: no news. Bing: no news.

What? Did Rammell figure out a way to clear all of his news off of the internet? Hardly sounds like him. In fact, it may be his worst nightmare that he's not so popular anymore. Which means, I think, he'll be doing something stupid (and newsworthy) any day now.

~ J. Bunch

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East Idaho Elk Poaching

From the IF&G:

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking help from the public regarding a poaching incident that occurred about three miles from the Kepps Crossing area east of Idaho Falls.

The incident involved a spike elk that was killed in the area of the Bulls Fork road about three miles from Kepps Crossing. The individuals involved killed four elk. Two cows, a calf and a spike. They recovered all the meat that was required, but the problem was that they killed a spike in a cow only hunt.

Evidence at the site indicates the incident probably occurred Friday November 25.

Anyone who might have information pertaining to this incident should contact the regional IDFG Office in Idaho Falls at 208-525-7290. To report other possible illegal activities concerned citizens can call the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Callers can remain anonymous and rewards may be available.

~ J. Bunch

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Tasmanian Poacher Update - The Final One (I hope)

An Australian newspaper reported that Tasmanian hunters are more suited to hunting big game than Americans are. We are simply out-skilled by them:

While interviewing Tasmanians who have hunted Idaho, they got this gem:

"The mountains there are 8000-9000 feet [2400-2700m] and the elk are up high," he said.

He said Mr Kapeller had the ability to "hunt up high", which meant sleeping at 7000-8000 feet.

"You've got to be fit and dedicated because the air is thin, and it would be nothing to carry a 100-pound [45kg] pack," a second hunter said.

"Americans generally sleep at 3000-4000 feet [910-1200m] so it means the Tasmanians have the advantage of height when the elk start to head up the mountain in the morning," he said.

"He is generally more successful than locals and they may have got resentful."

I'm sure the Aussies just want their mates home, and can't understand the American crankiness that is holding up these virtuoso hunters. After all, the accused stated that all they did was kill a wolf in self defense.

Well, Idaho doesn't care about skill levels or bogus claims. Idaho has facts. And Idaho used the facts to nail the Tasmanian hunters pretty soundly.

I'm tire of talking about them, but you can read the full disgusting story of what happened, along with their punishments here.

In the end, it sounds like the ring leaders simply won't be welcome to hunt in Idaho ever again.

~ J. Bunch

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Have You Ever Been Tempted To...

hunt or fish as a resident of more than one state? Of course you have. But if you're like me, you wouldn't dream of actually doing it.

One Idaho man did, and the consequences were steep enough to deter me (if I had even entertained such a devious thought).

Roger Woodworth, 64, of Hayden, ID found a way to obtain a Montana hunting license. Then he found a way to win the lottery for a controlled bighorn sheep hunt. Then he shot a trophy bighorn ram. Then he got caught.

Was it worth it? $13,000 in fines and restitution. Hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges lost for life.

Nope, not worth it. I'd rather be fishing.

Here is the KHQ (Spokane - N. Idaho) write-up.

~ J. Bunch

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Tasmanian Poacher Update

The three Tasmanian men accused of poaching and a bunch of other associated violations will appear in court on Tuesday. So far, they've spent two days in jail before posting a combined $165,000 bond.

Likely, the men will plead guilty, have their license privileges suspended, be fined for the crimes, and sent home.

Likely, the fines won't be enough.

~ J. Bunch

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The Psychology of the Poacher

Os Guinness once described the difference between jealousy and envy by explaining jealousy is wanting what someone else has. Envy, on the other hand, wants what someone else has, and includes the desire for someone else to not have whatever it is at the center of attention.

Think about the annoying crime of keying a car. Why would somebody take pleasure in destroying a paint job? If they can't have the wheels that you do, by gum, then you shouldn't enjoy it so much yourself. That's envy.

The wild game of this state belongs to all of us collectively. Setting the politics of it aside, that game is managed by a state agency, enforcing wild game laws. I happen to think that our game herds have been managed fairly well, at least to the extent where the federal government hasn't put down their weighty booger of a foot (read: un-indigenous wolves). But the point is that Idaho's wildlife is a natural resource, and there are laws and rules for how that natural resource is extracted from the land.

Bottom line: when somebody poaches an animal, they're taking something of yours unlawfully because they want it. But also by doing so, they're grabbing at something so that you absolutely can't have it. You've had one car stolen, and they keyed your other car. You're a victim of envy.

Of course, envy itself isn't a crime, but it's where the perversion starts.

There can be other root causes of poaching. Someone may be genuinely in poverty, and truly needs the meat. I have more empathy with that situation, provided the person isn't passing up the smaller bucks. But if someone is really in dire straits, I could be tolerant. The problem is that even the poorest among us are wealthy enough to obtain food legally.

Others poach for money. No empathy or sympathy there. That's just theft fueled by greed.

But what kind of perversion is it that sees the 6x6 bull elk out of season, and just has to take it? What sort of soul is it that can crawl out of their little shroud of shame and brag about the trophy?

What if Boise St. beats Louisiana St. in the the National Championship Game in football this year? How would you feel if it came out that BSU had an insider that stole LSU's entire playbook and game plan prior to the game? What if they also wire tapped LSU's offensive and defensive coordinators during the game? You still fist pumping the air?

Hunting wild game is a sport that doesn't make any sense without sportsmanship. A trophy of any kind carries only as much legitimacy as the one who scored it.

Poaching for pleasure is the result of envy, lack of self discipline, and the ability to take pride in something illegitimate - a psychological perversion beyond my understanding.

So my solution for anyone caught poaching for pleasure is to promise them not a suspension of their hunting license and a small fine. Instead, promise them 1 year in a room with padded walls. That, combined with F&G's investigative force looking more like an episode of CSI, might ward off some of this nonsense.

~ J. Bunch

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F&G News: Poaching

Two recent poaching incidents have the F&G's attention this week.

Two bull moose were shot near Cataldo. Apparently, the poachers field dressed the moose, indicating that they were going to retrieve the game, but never did.

Conservation Officer Mark Bowen stated,

"This is a waste of valuable wildlife resources. Lots of hunters have applied in the moose tag lottery for years and have not drawn a tag. Then, they hear about a case like this. Those hunters hoping for the opportunity to legally hunt moose; and, all Idaho residents for that matter have good reason to be outraged by this."

Poaching in general is sub-sportsmanlike, obviously.  But poaching moose?  An animal that you can walk up to and pet if you wanted (something I've never done, but have had the opportunity to)?  That's sub-sub-sportsmanlike.

 Another poaching crime was committed near Winchester, where a large mule deer buck was taken.  I should say, only the head was taken.  That's a problem.

Conservation Officer Jim Pagel noted that this isn't the only poaching of this style in that area this year:

"Judging by the size of the carcass, the deer likely sported a large set of antlers. Several other deer have been found wasted in the same area this fall, so we really need people to make the call."

 As always, if you have information that would help the F&G put away the poachers, there's a cash reward for you.  Call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999.

For more details go here and here.

~ J.Bunch

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