EDITORIAL: Idaho's outdoors must be respected, not abused

North Idaho is an outdoorsman’s paradise. 

It is an area of mountains, lakes and rivers, teeming with wildlife and treasured by anglers and hunters. 

The vast majority of those who venture into our great wilderness treat it with the respect it deserves. They are careful to have proper licenses and tags. They are careful to only take animals in the allowed season. They are careful to follow the rules. In doing so, they honor their fellow lovers of the outdoors. 

For that, we say thank you. 

But there are some who don't care. They do not respect the outdoors that they are privileged to enjoy. They believe the rules do not apply to them. 

We point to two cases reported by The Press on Thursday. 

After a two-day trial, a jury convicted Coeur d’Alene resident Joel P. Rose of unlawful killing, possession or wasting of wildlife. 

He killed a “well-known” trophy-class bulk elk with a rifle during an archery-only season and was guilty of a felony offense, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 

Rose is scheduled to be sentenced in August. 

And then, we have two St. Maries men who are facing felony charges for the alleged unlawful taking of seven mature white-tailed deer bucks in a “poaching spree” last fall, according to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 

Authorities allege that the men killed seven deer in November 2024 — including five within a single 24-hour period — during unlawful hours and “often with the aid of artificial light.”  

Three of the bucks were classified as trophy white-tailed deer, which carries higher penalties than non-trophy classifications.  

“These often-flagrant violations hurt the resource as a whole and greatly take away the opportunity for the legal hunters of Idaho,” court records said. 

We know both of these cases are exceptions and not the rule. Yet, the damage can’t be undone. We agree with the court records. Not only do these actions hurt our wildlife overall, they cast a poor light on Idaho hunters, which is unfortunate because as we know, it doesn't reflect the integrity of true hunters in this state.

Our abundant wildlife and natural resources are among the blessings of living in North Idaho. They are priceless gifts and must be protected from those who would abuse them. 

We praise the efforts of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to investigate these and all similar cases and find those responsible for unlawful killing of wildlife. Fish and Game, as expected, does not take illegal actions lightly, and neither do we.