Regional Roundup
Salmon — July 2009

As reported by Regional Conservation Officer David Silcock.

July was a busy month in the Salmon Region. The salmon season kept everyone busy, and anglers ended up catching more than 3,519 fish here during that time.

We detected several violations including fish being transferred to others cards, failing to card fish, continuing to fish, and other violations such as possession of drugs and paraphernalia.

We had an enforcement trip down the Middle Fork as well, and the good water conditions had many rafters out. And Tony Latham finished up a big case that has taken over two years.

In August 2007, Idaho Fish and Game received several reports from landowners in the Pahsimeroi Valley of a group of elk hunters using illegal and unethical hunting methods.

The reports initiated a two-year investigation that resulted in the seizure of five illegal elk and the prosecution of six individuals with 24 misdemeanor counts in Bingham, Lemhi and Custer counties.

Charged and prosecuted in the case were Gary L. Ward of Blackfoot, Gary D. Ward of Fort Hall, William L. Mathews of Blackfoot, John D. McLean of Pocatello, Darrell D. Ward of Fayetteville Pennsylvania, and Charles N. Sexton of Flippin, Arkansas.

The group was involved in the hunting in closed areas, transferring tags, purchasing resident licenses while residing outside of Idaho, hunting without the proper tag, killing of elk in excess of the bag limits, and hunting with the use of motorized vehicles.

Ward was sentenced to 10 days in jail, fined $2082 and lost hunting and fishing privileges for nine years.

Charles N. Sexton was fined $990 and lost hunting privileges for two years. Gary D. Ward was fined $652 and lost hunting privileges for two years. Darrel Ward was fined $418 and lost hunting privileges for one year. William L. Mathews was fined $338 and lost hunting privileges for one year. John D. McLean was fined $333.