According to a recent Idaho Fish and Game press release, back in 2024, a suspicious cardboard box discovered along a backcountry road in Idaho County in early October 2024 led officers to uncover a major poaching case. The box—found before deer season opened—contained freshly processed deer parts and, critically, had a shipping label with a local address printed on it, which led officers directly to the property of Carl Van Loon. After initially denying involvement, Van Loon later admitted to killing a deer illegally during the closed season without a valid license or tag. Officers seized the deer meat and antlers and issued citations for unlawful possession and littering.
The investigation widened the following day when officers discovered an illegal bait site on Van Loon’s property and gathered further evidence tying him to multiple unlawfully taken deer and a moose harvested during a closed season in Unit 13, where no moose permits are issued. The case ultimately involved six felonies, nine misdemeanors, and one infraction, ending in a plea agreement that included a lifetime revocation of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges, jail time, and substantial fines. Idaho Fish and Game emphasized that wildlife belongs to everyone, and illegal harvest steals opportunities from both ethical sportsmen and local communities.
Protecting wildlife means respecting the rules that give everyone a fair, ethical chance to enjoy it.
Photos via Idaho Fish and Game
