In a recent Idaho Fish and Game news release on May 16, there was erroneous information concerning an elk poaching case near Howe involving three men. However, to clear any confusion, the correct details are now available.
Back in June 2022, the Butte County Prosecutor’s Office pressed charges against Travis Curtiss, Donald Curtiss, and Eben Curtiss. Originally, they faced one misdemeanor. The group also faced five felonies each for the unlawful taking, possessing, or wasting of wildlife outside of Howe, ID.
However, things took a different turn on Sep. 15, 2022, when the trio agreed to plea deals with the Butte County Prosecutor’s Office, leading to their guilty pleas on eight misdemeanors. All other charges were either dropped or suspended as part of these plea agreements.
Here are the specific penalties for each of the men:
Travis Curtiss:
- Guilty of hunting from a motorized vehicle, fined $250, and court costs of $165.
- He was also found guilty of two counts of unlawful taking of wildlife (a misdemeanor and a flagrant violation), fined $600, and court costs of $330.
Other penalties include:
- Restitution of $6,000 is to be paid jointly between co-defendants.
- Hunting and trapping licenses are suspended for 120 months, and he cannot accompany a hunter in the field for 72 months.
- He also has to serve 72 months of non-supervised probation.
- 100 hours of community service to Idaho Fish and Game or a conservation entity.
Eben Curtiss:
- Guilty of hunting from a motorized vehicle, fined $250, and court costs of $165.
- Found guilty of unlawful taking of wildlife (a misdemeanor and a flagrant violation), fined $300, and court costs of $165.
Other penalties include:
- Restitution of $6,000 is to be paid jointly between co-defendants.
- Hunting and trapping licenses are suspended for 60 months, and he cannot accompany a hunter in the field for 24 months.
- 48 months of non-supervised probation.
- 100 hours of community service to Idaho Fish and Game or a conservation entity.
Donald Curtiss:
- Guilty of hunting from a motorized vehicle, fined $250, and court costs of $165.
- Found guilty of two counts of unlawful taking of wildlife (a misdemeanor and a flagrant violation), fined $600, and court costs of $330.
Other penalties include:
- Restitution of $6,000 is to be paid jointly between co-defendants.
- He also had hunting and trapping licenses suspended for 120 months, and he cannot accompany a hunter in the field for 72 months.
- 72 months of non-supervised probation.
- He also must serve 100 hours of community service to Idaho Fish and Game or a conservation entity.
It’s important to provide accurate information to ensure transparency and understanding of such cases, especially when it concerns the conservation of wildlife and the enforcement of hunting regulations. You can read more about his case by clicking here. Likewise, you can read more Idaho hunting news by clicking here.
