A recent Washington County court sentencing demonstrated the consequences of running afoul of Idaho's statute on "flagrant violation" of wildlife laws.

One of the acts that can invoke the flagrant violation law is obtaining a hunting license while under license suspension stemming from a previous poaching case.

In the Washington County case, Magistrate Gregory F. Frates sentenced a 21-year-old Midvale man to pay fines, civil penalties, fees and court costs of $3,663 with $1,500 suspended. He was also sentenced to spend 30 days in jail with another 17 months suspended and supervised probation until February 2004.

The man's hunting and fishing license privileges were revoked for 10 years. Idaho belongs to the Wildlife Violators Compact, so his hunting license privileges will also be revoked in 11 other states, including most of the West.

The investigation began because senior conservation officer Bill London discovered that the man had illegally purchased a hunting license and deer tag while his license privileges were revoked in a previous poaching case. London could not find the man in his usual Boise County hunting areas but learned that he had moved to Washington County. London notified the conservation officer in Washington County who not only found the man but also discovered that he had illegally killed a mule deer buck while his license was revoked. He was cited for purchase of another hunting license and deer tag while his legitimate license was revoked, and unlawful take of a mule deer.

The purchase of a license and tag while revoked each invokes the "Flagrant Violation" statute, IC 36-1402(e), in which there is a mandatory license revocation of one year to life.

Judge Frates found the man guilty on all counts.