🚨 17 Busted in Idaho Poaching Ring + Major OTC Tag Change Alert

November 14, 2025
Straight talk from the field — no fluff, no filters, just the hunt and the headlines.

While you’re playing by the rules and building preference points, some folks were running a poaching operation. This week: justice served, 17 convictions, lifetime bans handed out — and a tag-deadline change for Idaho nonresidents that you can’t ignore. Grab your coffee. Let’s get into it.

🚨 Idaho Poaching Network Busted | 🎯 Wyoming Residency Fraud | 📋 Idaho Nonresident OTC‐Tag Change | 🔊 Predator Calls: What Actually Works | 🐾 Hunt of the Week: Idaho Cougar | 📰 Quick Hits

A two-year investigation by Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG) just wrapped up with 17 convictions, 3 lifetime hunting bans, and nearly $48,631 in restitution. Two suspects remain at large. Idaho Fish and Game+2Dailyfly News+2
It started in October 2023, when officers stopped a group hunting mule deer without tags near Rogerson. They recovered five mule-deer heads — meat discarded. Coeur d'Alene Press+1

Working with local police, the Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, IDFG executed 14 simultaneous search warrants across the Treasure Valley and Oregon. Dailyfly News+1
Since 2016 the operation illegally took 32 mule deer, 1 bull moose, 1 swan, and 1 bobcat. https://www.kmvt.com+1

This wasn’t a few guys making mistakes — it was an organized network spanning nearly a decade, multiple states, and dozens of animals. If you see something, report it: 1-800-632-5999 or report online. Idaho Fish and Game

Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) wrapped up a multi-year investigation of an Idaho Falls man who falsely claimed Wyoming residency from 2018-2021 to obtain resident licenses, then hunted mule deer (180-220 inches), bull elk and pronghorn across western Wyoming. K2 Radio+2Buckrail - Jackson Hole, news+2

In March 2022, wardens executed search warrants at the suspect’s Idaho Falls residence and found multiple trophy heads. K2 Radio+1
He ultimately pleaded guilty Aug 1 2024 to six counts (false statements + illegal take) and received: 21 days jail (work-release through Sept 2026), $10,000 restitution, $17,905 in fines, an 18-year hunting ban (Wyoming + all Wildlife Violator Compact states).

While legal nonresident hunters wait 4-8 years (or longer) to draw Wyoming general tags, this guy was buying over-the-counter resident licenses with a fake address. He essentially bypassed the system and stole once-in-a-lifetime opportunities from honest hunters.

Previously you could show up in December and buy OTC tags. In 2026 the rules change: you must apply during a 10-day window.
Application window: December 5-15, 2025.
Miss it, and you forfeit OTC tag opportunity. IDFG details here.

General rifle season ends Nov 30, 2025 — if you’re still in the field, you’ve got one more weekend.

CWD update: several hunt-areas showing upticks in detection. Check your unit status before entering the draw or planning access.

Calling predators comes down to right sound + right time, and staying invisible. Here’s your breakdown:

High-End: FoxPro X2S ($599) — 100+ sounds, remote, dual-speaker “surround-sound” setup. Ideal for open country and mobile stands.
Mid-Range: Primos Dogg Catcher ($149) — remote, 10 sounds, single speaker. Best value for mixed terrain.
Budget: Primos Coyote Buster ($12) — handcrafted mouth call, no batteries. Excellent backup or pressured area tool.

Location: Idaho (mountain lion)
Duration: 7 days
Package price: ~$8,000 (plus tags, license, tax)
Why: Mountain lion hunting with hounds remains one of the most physically demanding and rewarding big-game hunts in the West. If you’ve never heard dogs tree a 150-lb tom, this could be your frontier.
Interested? Reply and we will get you all the information needed.

Getting ready for 2026 and 2027 Big game seasons? We have Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail, Black bear and brown bear hunts. Reply hear and we will get you all the details.

Whether you’re glassing ridge-lines or sitting cold at dawn:

I spent last week on the rim country, glassing for elk. As the sun dropped, the wind shifted… and I realized how vulnerable access is when someone cheats the system. The 17 convictions in Idaho and the residency-fraud case in Wyoming don’t just affect those involved—they ripple through every hunter who plays it straight. The next time you reach a vantage point, ask yourself: “Am I doing everything I can so the frontier stays open?” Because yes, the wilderness is a place of rules… and respect. See you on the ridge.

Seventeen convictions. Three lifetime bans. $48,631 in restitution. That’s what happens when conservation officers follow the tip-lines and stay in the game.
And if you’re hunting Idaho in 2026 as a nonresident — mark that calendar: December 5-15 is your line-in-the-sand to apply for OTC tags.
Stay legal. Stay sharp. And keep your coffee strong.
Matt Myers
Western Vantage