Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Trial set in elk-poaching case

Anti-wolf activist accused of illegally killing trophy bull elk


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Tony Mayer

An April 12 jury trial has been scheduled for an anti-wolf activist accused of poaching a trophy bull elk in Blaine County in 2009.

Tony J. Mayer, a 59-year-old Twin Falls man and the founder of the anti-wolf website SaveElk.com, was arraigned Monday in Blaine County 5th District Court on a felony charge of "flagrant unlawful killing and/or possession of a trophy bull elk." Judge Robert J. Elgee told Mayer that the crime is punishable by up to five years in prison, a $6,000 fine, a $5,000 civil penalty and lifetime loss of hunting, fishing and trapping privileges.

Mayer is also charged with misdemeanor crimes of hunting without an elk tag, hunting without an archery permit and unlawful possession of protected wildlife.

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He has pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

Arraignment followed a preliminary hearing on Dec. 7 when Magistrate Court Judge Jason Walker ruled that there was sufficient evidence to transfer the case to district court.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game alleges that Mayer killed the elk on Oct. 3, 2009, in the Alturas Lake area of northern Blaine County. The bow-hunting season in that area ended on Sept. 30.

The trial is expected to last four days. Mayer remains free on his own recognizance.

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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