CLEARWATER TRIBUNE HOME

MAY 6, 2010

Found camera leads to wildlife violation convictions

By Gregg Losinski, IDFG

   A trail camera left at an illegal bear bait in Oregon in 2008 has led to the conviction of a former Idaho resident on wildlife related violations that occurred in Idaho.

   On April 12, 2010, Aaron Loosli, formerly of Rexburg and now of La Pine, Ore., was sentenced in Idaho's Madison County for unlawful possession of a bull moose in October of 2004.

   Information stored on the camera implicated a number of other individuals in illegal wildlife activities both in Oregon and Idaho. A joint investigation between Oregon and Idaho wildlife enforcement officers resulted not only in this conviction, but a variety of other charges.

   The investigation resulted in the confiscation of numerous illegally taken trophy animals. Officers involved in the investigation said this was not about subsistence poaching to feed a family, but lust for trophy quality animals.

   While investigators were able to charge Loosli with nearly 30 violations as the result of their investigation, legal maneuverings resulted in only the bull moose charge moving entirely through the court system.

   Loosli's sentence issued April 12 included:

·   Nine-year revocation of hunting privileges.

·   One-year of determinant, two years indeterminate jail time (suspended).

·   $10,000 civil penalty to be paid to the State of Idaho at $200 a month.

·   $500 in fines plus $181 in court costs.

·   150 hours of community service.

·   30 days in jail served in either Idaho or Oregon.

·   Shall not carry any weapons during probation.

   Daniel Parker of Bend, OR, was also found guilty for his role in the illegal killing of this same bull moose. He received a similar sentence. Because of the interstate Wildlife Violator Compact both individuals will lose the privilege to hunt in the participating 33 states for the next nine years.

   "This case demonstrates the distance that wildlife criminals will cover, as well as the staggering number of animals that they can illegally kill over the course of a few years," Idaho Fish and Game Regional Investigator Robert Howe said.