Thanks to a tip submitted through the Citizens Against Poaching 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.
On Nov. 6, 2024, 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. Black did not have a moose tag.
Moose are a once-in-a-lifetime species in Idaho, meaning hunters who are successful in drawing a tag and harvesting a moose are only allowed to 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 get help, where he was picked up by two hunters.
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.
After Black returned to his vehicle and got it unstuck, he fled—leaving the entire moose to waste.
Through the license plate information provided by the witnesses and follow-up investigation, 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. 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 classified as trophy species under Idaho code and carry a $10,000 reimbursable damage assessment.
On July 8, 2025, Black was sentenced in Kootenai County District Court to:
- $1,500.00 in fines
- $10,000.00 in restitution
- $250.00 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
- Lifetime revocation of hunting and trapping privileges in Idaho
Through the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, the lifetime revocation will apply in all participating member states, meaning Black will lose hunting and trapping privileges in all US states, except Hawaii.
Fish and Game extends its appreciation to the Kootenai County Prosecutor’s Office for its efforts in successfully prosecuting the case.
Fish and Game 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 helped in protecting Idaho’s treasured wildlife resources.
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.
