Idaho Poacher Busted – $27K Fine + 18-Year Ban

I’m currently at the “it’s Friday already?” phase of the workweek.
Grab a whiskey (no judgment) and let’s send this one into the weekend right.

Here’s what’s worth reading today 👇

Wyoming Game and Fish officials are on an absolute tear this fall—bringing down another residency-fraud case just days after the Farson outfitter sentencing.

The Scheme: Idaho Falls resident Rodney Gilstrap ran a six-year fake-residency hustle to snag Wyoming tags.
He’s starting a 21-day work-release jail sentence today.

The Penalty:

Bottom Line: While honest hunters wait years for tags, guys like this treat it like organized crime. Wyoming wardens are sending a message—cheat the system, lose everything.
👉 Read the full story (K2 Radio)

For the first time in over a century, California wildlife officials removed wolves after 70 confirmed livestock kills in six months.

The Situation: The Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra Valley was responsible for more than half of the state’s depredations.
Even with guard dogs, range riders and fladry, losses continued.

The Decision: CDFW and USFWS authorized lethal removal of four wolves — a historic move in a state that’s usually wolf-friendly.

Bottom Line: When a pack kills 70 head of cattle, the politics change fast. Expect this debate to rage for months.
👉 Read the full story (CDFW Press Release)

Residents in Clinton County reported deer shot and left to rot in fields — what CPOs found was worse.

The Find: 13 carcasses across five nights, spotlight and .22 from a vehicle.
The Arrest: 18-year-old Ashden McArthur of Carlyle charged with multiple felonies and license revocation possible.

Bottom Line: This isn’t hunting — it’s criminal waste that hurts every legit hunter out there.
👉 Read the full story (RiverBender)

Ruger American Gen II Predator
Cold hammer-forged barrel, Burnt Bronze Cerakote, AI-style mag, adjustable trigger.
Street price ≈ $520-560 — hard to beat for sub-MOA accuracy.
👉 View at Ruger

Irish Setter VaprTrek Boots
Waterproof, 400 g insulation, UltraDry tech and ScentBan treatment.
Comfort for those all-day sits. $180-230.
👉 View at Irish Setter Boots

Havalon Piranta-Edge
12 replaceable blades in a 3-oz knife — the guide’s favorite. $45-55.
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Seven-day lodge-based hunt, nearly 100 % success, wolf add-on available.
Big cats, warm meals, prime country.
💬 Reply to this email if you want details or to book.

Mule deer rut is starting to stir across the West — bucks shadowing does, neck swelling, a few first sparring matches caught on camera.

What about your area? 👀
Is the mule deer rut kicking in where you are? Reply and let me know what you’re seeing in the field.

All subscribers are automatically entered. Want extra entries? Refer your buddies:

Winner announced Dec 1st.
👉 Get your referral link here

🦌 Rut Peak: Most northern states hit chase phase Nov 8-12, breeding Nov 10-18.
👌 Michigan Elk Expansion: DNR proposes 45-day season (Sept-Oct 2026).
💰 Yellowstone Grizzlies Worth $46K: Economic study shows each bear’s tourism value.
⚖️ Idaho Magic Valley Bust: 17 convictions from two-year poaching investigation.
🫎 Rare Kansas Moose: Bull sighting north-central KS — first since 2019.
🐻 Wisconsin Bear Den Study: Public reports help DNR track reproduction.
🚔 ND Pronghorn Poaching: Four left to waste near Belfield; call 701-328-9921 to report.

🐊 Alligator vs. Alligator Snapping Turtle — This one does not go how you’d expect.
👉 Watch the battle

🐴 Old School Pull: Dragging a bull moose with horses — the way our grandfathers did it.
👉 Watch the retrieval

That’s the dispatch for Friday. Wyoming wardens are hammering fraudsters, California just rewrote its wolf playbook, and rut activity’s about to explode.
Stay safe out there — and send photos if you tag out this weekend.