In 2017, Susan Willmorth of Parma received a permit for bighorn sheep in Unit 40. Accompanying her on the hunt was her husband, Joe Willmorth. During the summer months, the couple scouted Unit 40 and found many rams. However, one ram held their attention more than the others did. The couple nicknamed the ram “Old Man”. Over the summer the Willmorths learned where “Old Man” spent his time and had a plan in place to harvest this exceptional ram. As the season neared the ram began to be seen less and less by the couple. After hunting hard, Susan and Joe were able to take a wonderful ram.
DNA and “Old Man”
On October 6th, 2017, Joe Willmorth entered the Idaho Fish and Game Nampa office. Joe carried a trophy bighorn sheep head and his wife’s written statement. The statement let officers know that this was Susan’s ram and that her husband was legally in possession of it. Joe was to have the horns measured and an identification pin inserted as required by Idaho state law. The ram was impressive, and Joe claimed that it was taken by his wife on October 1st. A Department official measured the ram. Likewise, the official also pinned the sheep and took a number of photos of the ram.
In February of 2018, the IDFG received a tip that there was something wrong with the Willmorth ram. During the investigation, officials obtained a warrant to search the Willmorth home. Once at the home IDFG officials seized the ram that was measured in October, a salted bighorn sheep hide and several electronics. The hide and cell phone images obtained during the search would prove to be costly for the Willmorths.
Through the months-long investigation and many interviews both Joe and Susan continued to claim that they were innocent of any wrongdoing. However, DNA evidence from the bighorn sheep hide and skull proved that the two items belonged to two different bighorn sheep. Likewise, a cell phone photo found during the search showed Susan posing with a bighorn ram taken on September 23rd. Further into the same camera reel showed more photos of live bighorn sheep and then another photo of a freshly killed bighorn sheep. Those other photos were date stamped for October 1st. Thanks to DNA and comparing the different photos the officers could tell the two sheep were different.
Sentenced For Shooting Too Many Bighorn Sheep
Thanks to the photographic and forensic evidence, prosecutors were able to file unlawful possession charges against both of the Willmorths. Susan Willmorth entered a plea deal several after the charges were filed. However, Joe entered an Alford plea, which means he did not plead guilty to the charges, but knows that the evidence will most likely lead to a conviction.
In November of 2020, Joe Willmorth appeared in Canyon County court to hear his sentence. Joe was sentenced to pay a $10,000 civil penalty fine. Likewise, Joe’s hunting and trapping privileges, together with an outdoor guide license, were revoked for seven years. This ban extends to 48 other states within the United States. Subsequently, Willmorth can not help anyone on any hunting or trapping excursions, or be present in the camp of a hunter or trapper. If Joe does any of the above-listed actions he will be in direct violation of his 7-year probation. If Joe is caught in violation of his probation he will earn a six-month stay in jail.
The ram that was checked in by Joe on October 6th of 2017 was also surrendered to the IDFG as a part of Joe’s punishment. Likewise, The court demanded that Susan Willmorth’s bighorn sheep head be forfeited as well. As of January 22nd of 2021, that bighorn rams head has not been brought in to the IDFG.
