Outdoors briefs March 14, 2013

Swan poacher suspects found

In a poaching case that captivated local residents, three Nampa juvenile suspects have been charged with a number of wildlife violations related to a poached trumpeter swan near the Boise River just west of Star in February.

The initial release of details about the case generated a number of phone calls to Idaho Fish and Game, all of which helped officers track down the suspects.

While four youths, all from Nampa, were suspected in the poaching incident, charges were filed against only three. Five citations and four warnings were issued in connection with nine violations.

The suspects will appear in court in Canyon County in the weeks ahead.

Citations included illegal take of a migratory bird, aid in the commission of a misdemeanor and hunting without a license. Warnings also were issued for illegal take of a migratory bird with an unlawful firearm, and three counts of using a motorized vehicle as an aid in hunting.

During the course of the investigation, officers also cited one of the suspects with possession of a nongame protected bird in connection with a poached great blue heron. A shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle were seized as evidence in the case.

At more than 20 pounds and with a wingspan of 8 feet, the trumpeter swan is the largest waterfowl in North America and the largest swan in the world. There is no hunting season on trumpeter swans in Idaho.

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Entries available for Super Hunt

It's not too early to enter the first Super Hunt drawing in June.

The deadline is May 31.

With every entry in Fish and Game's Super Hunt drawings, hunters get a chance at winning the hunt of a lifetime, and their entry fee helps support hunter and angler access to and across private lands.

The first drawing in June will pick 26 lucky hunters, each of whom will win one of 25 tags - eight elk, eight deer, and eight pronghorn permits as well as one moose hunt; one "Super Hunt Combo" entry also will be drawn that will entitle the winner to hunt for one each elk, deer, pronghorn and moose.

A second drawing will be held in August when another "Super Hunt Combo" and permits for two elk, two deer, and two pronghorn hunts along with one moose hunt will be drawn.

The first Super Hunt entry will cost $6. Each additional entry purchased at the same time will cost $4 each. The Super Hunt Combo entries work the same way. The first entry costs $20, and each additional entry purchased at the same time will cost $16.

Info: (800) 554-8685.