An Idaho judge has gone beyond the county prosecutors recommendation to put an elk poacher in the slammer. David S. Wallace, 19, of Culdesac, was sentenced Tuesday for killing a 5-by-6 bull elk out of season near Reubens, Idaho, and wasting the meat, both misdemeanors. Wallace told officers he shot the elk Sept. 25 along the Culdesac Road for food, dragged the carcass to a low spot so it would not be seen by motorists and later returned to find the meat spoiled, according to an Idaho Fish and Game Department officer's report. He cut off the animal’s head and stored it in a shed behind his trailer in downtown Culdesac.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that despite a recommendation from prosecutors and defense attorneys to impose a $250 fine and a two-year hunting and fishing license suspension, Magistrate Gregory K. Kalbfleisch sentenced Wallace to 180 days in jail with 170 days suspended, imposed $2,480 in penalties, fines, fees and restitution, suspended Wallace’s hunting and fishing privileges for three years and placed him on probation for up to two years/Rich Landers, SR Outdoors blog. More here.

DFO: Props for Magistrate Gregory K. Kalbfleisch for throwing the book at the poacher. Thoughts?