Kellogg man convicted in Kootenai County poaching case

Thanks to a tip submitted through the Citizens Against Poaching (CAP) hotline, a Kellogg man has been convicted of a felony for the unlawful killing, possession and wasting of a bull moose near Wolf Lodge Saddle in Kootenai County, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Raymond A. Black illegally shot and killed a trophy-class bull moose with a high-powered rifle while it stood in the middle of a U.S. Forest Service road Nov 6. Black did not possess a moose tag, the release said.

In Idaho, moose are classified as a once-in-a-lifetime species, meaning hunters who successfully draw a tag and harvest a moose may only do so once in their lifetime. After killing the moose, Black attempted to load the carcass into his vehicle but became stuck in the snow. He hiked out to seek help and was picked up by two hunters, the release said.

"The hunters found his story suspicious and noted inconsistencies in what he told them. Importantly, they also recorded Black’s license plate and quickly submitted the information through the CAP hotline," the release said.

After returning to his vehicle and getting it unstuck, Black fled the scene — leaving the entire moose to waste. Using the license plate information provided by the witnesses, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers executed a search warrant at Black’s residence and seized the rifle used in the crime, along with other evidence. 

Black pleaded guilty to a felony charge of unlawful killing, possession or wasting of wildlife, the release said. In Idaho, the unlawful killing of wildlife with a single or combined reimbursable damage amount exceeding $1,000 is classified as a felony. Bull moose are considered trophy species under Idaho code and carry a $10,000 reimbursable damage assessment. 

Black was sentenced July 8 in Kootenai County District Court to: $1,500 in fines, $10,000 in restitution, $250 in meat processing fees, $245.50 in court costs, six months incarceration in county jail, three years of supervised probation as a condition of a suspended prison sentence and a lifetime revocation of hunting and trapping privileges in Idaho 

Through the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, this lifetime revocation applies in all participating member states, meaning Black will lose hunting and trapping privileges in every U.S. state except Hawaii. 

Idaho Fish and Game extends its appreciation to the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office for its efforts in successfully prosecuting the case. 

"The department is especially grateful to the individuals who reported the crime — their prompt and responsible actions played a crucial role in holding the violator accountable and protecting Idaho’s treasured wildlife resources," the release said.

Anyone who observes or has information about a wildlife crime is encouraged to call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at 1-800-632-5999, or report online. Cash rewards are available for credible tips that lead to charges in a wildlife crime.