Wolf-shooter waiting for day in court

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County trial of the man who shot and killed a wolf on Rathdrum Mountain might not go forward as scheduled next week.

Forrest Mize, of Rathdrum, is charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a wolf without a tag, in a case that was investigated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. He declined comment Thursday.

Mize has already turned down a plea deal from the Kootenai County Prosecutor's Office that would have had him pay a $200 fine in exchange for a guilty plea. He opted instead for a jury trial.

The trial was supposed to start next week with Judge Anna Eckhart. The specific day would have been set Monday.

Michael Palmer, the Coeur d'Alene attorney representing Mize, said the prosecution is seeking a continuance because at least one Fish and Game officer who investigated the shooting is not available due to a schedule conflict.

Palmer said Thursday the judge had not granted the motion.

If the motion is granted the trial would be moved out roughly six weeks, Palmer said.

Mize shot the wolf on Dec. 30 while he was hiking with his three dogs. He was carrying a gun for protection, he has told The Press.

He bought a wolf tag after the shooting, and has said he wanted to keep the pelt. Fish and Game confiscated it.

He lives on the mountain and has said he didn't know a wolf was living in the area.