Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Charged With Poaching Violations

An Idaho Department of Game and Fish commissioner is facing multiple poaching charges involving bull elk last season. (Photo by Kirk Geisler)

An Idaho Department of Fish and Game commissioner is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after allegedly participating in the illegal killing of two bull elk in the region he represents.

According to idahostatesman.com, Upper Snake Region Commissioner Brody Harshbarger was charged March 6 with seven misdemeanor violations, including three counts of unlawful taking of game, hunting without a valid tag, hunting from a motorized vehicle, shooting across a public roadway, and trespassing. Each charge carries penalties of up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000, along with potential civil penalties and hunting license revocations of one to three years. Harshbarger has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

According to a probable cause affidavit, conservation officers responded to a Citizens Against Poaching report on Dec. 20, 2025, near the Spring Hollow boat ramp in Fremont County. The caller reported individuals shooting at elk and a dead six-point bull found on private property. Investigators allege that Harshbarger and another man shot and killed one bull elk on private land and another on nearby Bureau of Reclamation property. The other man faces the same charges as Harshbarger, except for the charge of hunting from a motorized vehicle.

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Authorities say Harshbarger had already filled his elk tag prior to the incident, while the second man’s tag was not valid for the public Bureau of Reclamation property where one of the elk was killed. Neither man had permission to hunt on the private property, leading to trespassing charges. The affidavit also states Harshbarger fired from inside his vehicle and shot across a public road.

Investigators reported evidence, including hoof marks and blood, indicating the elk had been hit and ran onto private land. Officials also noted that neither man contacted the landowner to retrieve the animal, a requirement under Idaho law. Harshbarger is accused of both unlawfully taking game and aiding the other individual in the violations.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game spokesperson Roger Phillips told the Statesman that the department has no comment because it’s an active case and the commissioner is not an employee of the agency. He’s an appointee of the governor.

Following the charges, Harshbarger agreed to voluntarily postpone his duties as commissioner. The governor’s office indicated his status will be reviewed once the case is resolved. A pretrial conference is scheduled for April 29.