Rep Nielsen: I am not a poacher

Wed., Jan. 13, 2016

Rep. Pete Nielsen, R-Mountain Home, listens to Gov. Otter's State of the State address in the House chambers at the state Capitol building in Boise. Nielsen has been charged with poaching an elk in southwest Idaho and entered a not guilty plea to possessing illegal wildlife today in 4th District Magistrate Court. Nielsen opted to represent himself rather than hire an attorney. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger)

By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com (509) 319-0354

Idaho Rep. Pete Nielsen of Mountain Home has been cited with unlawful possession of an elk. The Republican lawmaker entered a not guilty plea on Wednesday in 4th District Magistrate Court. Officials with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game say Nielsen possessed a spiked elk on Dec. 29. Officials say Nielsen could only legally kill an antlerless elk. Nielsen’s next court date is in April. The 77-year-old Nielsen has served in the Idaho Statehouse since 2002. Nielsen sits as vice-chair on the House Education Committee. He declined to comment to The Associated Press. Nielsen was absent from the Legislature this morning for his arraignment in Elmore County.

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