Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Facing Seven Criminal Hunting Charges
An Idaho Fish and Game commissioner responsible for setting the state’s hunting regulations is facing seven criminal charges related to alleged hunting violations, according to Idaho court records. Commissioner Brody Harshbarger has been cited on charges including unlawfully taking big game animals, hunting without a valid tag, shooting from a motorized vehicle, shooting across a public highway, trespassing to hunt or fish, and failing to make a reasonable effort to retrieve a downed animal. The case is being prosecuted in Fremont County, in eastern Idaho, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for late April. For broader statewide coverage of Idaho government and legal matters, visit Idaho News.
Background: Who Is Commissioner Brody Harshbarger?
Brody Harshbarger serves as a commissioner on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, the governing body charged with establishing hunting and fishing regulations across the state of Idaho. Commissioners are appointed to set policy and provide oversight for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game — the very agency responsible for enforcing the hunting laws Harshbarger is now accused of breaking.
The Idaho Fish and Game Commission plays a critical role in managing the state’s wildlife resources, setting season dates, bag limits, tag requirements, and land-use rules that Idaho hunters and anglers are legally obligated to follow. Harshbarger’s position places him among the state’s top wildlife policymakers, making the allegations carry particular weight.
Through his attorney, Harshbarger has pleaded not guilty to all seven charges. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on April 29 at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, Idaho.
Details of the Seven Criminal Hunting Charges
Court records outline a series of alleged violations, all stemming from incidents on or around December 20. According to those records, the charges against Harshbarger include the following:
Two misdemeanor counts of hunting or attempting to take a big game animal unlawfully. For the first count, Harshbarger allegedly shot a 6-point bull elk out of season and/or aided or abetted another person in doing so. For the second count, he allegedly shot an antlerless bull elk on Bureau of Reclamation property unlawfully and/or aided and abetted another person in doing so.
Hunting without a valid tag. Court records allege that Harshbarger shot or killed an elk on Bureau of Reclamation property after having already filled his tag for the season, meaning he no longer had a valid elk tag when the animal was taken.
Shooting from across a public highway. Court records allege that Harshbarger illegally fired at elk across Spring Hollow Road, and/or aided and abetted another person in doing so. Shooting across a public road is prohibited under Idaho hunting law.
Hunting with the aid of a motorized vehicle. Harshbarger allegedly shot an elk from the driver’s seat of a pickup truck, a violation of Idaho Fish and Game regulations.
Failing to make a reasonable effort to retrieve. After allegedly killing a big game animal, court records indicate Harshbarger did not make a reasonable effort to recover the animal, or aided and abetted another person who failed to do so.
Trespassing to hunt or fish. Court records also allege Harshbarger trespassed for the purpose of hunting or fishing.
Impact on Idaho’s Hunting Community and Public Trust
The charges against a sitting Fish and Game commissioner strike at the core of what Idaho’s hunting culture is built on — fair chase, respect for wildlife, adherence to the law, and ethical sportsmanship. Hunters across Canyon County and the broader Treasure Valley take seriously the rules governing big game seasons, tag requirements, and land access. Many invest months preparing for elk seasons, securing tags through competitive draws, and following every regulation to the letter.
The allegations — if proven — would represent precisely the kind of violations that Idaho Fish and Game officers regularly cite and prosecute average citizens for committing. The fact that the accused holds a position of authority over those same regulations raises serious questions about accountability and the integrity of the commission. Property rights advocates in Canyon County and across Idaho also note the trespassing charge as a particularly serious allegation, given the ongoing tensions between hunters and private landowners over land access across the state.
What Comes Next
Harshbarger has pleaded not guilty and is entitled to due process under Idaho law. The pre-trial hearing is set for April 29 at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony. It remains unclear at this time whether Harshbarger has stepped back from his duties on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission while the charges are pending, or whether the Idaho Governor’s office has taken any action regarding his appointment. Canyon County News will continue to follow this case as it moves through the Fremont County court system.