We recently hit this topic and covered a case that was quite thoroughly prosecuted and the results were a tougher than “normal” sentence being served. For more information you can read up on their article here. Part two of this story covers a higher profile case. In which a father and son duo shot and killed a sow grizzly in east Idaho not far from Yellowstone. Jared Baum of Ashton, Idaho plead guilty to shooting the sow near the Little Warm River in Fremont County, Idaho.
Jared’s so-called story made a weak attempt to make light of the incident. He stated that he thought he was shooting a black bear and mistakenly killed the grizzly. However, there was no open season for black bear at the time and whether he mis-identified it or not is meaningless to his case. IDFG recovered the bear’s carcass half submerged in the river and found a bullet right away. After further investigation there were 12 bullets removed and some partial fragments as well. To top it off the sow had a known den site nearby at which IDFG officials discovered a deceased male cub. The cub died from starvation as his mother never returned to the den.
We have previously asked the question, does the crime fit the punishment? The answer in many cases has been no. However, in this case we can yet again see the tables are turning. Jared Baum was sentenced to 30 consecutive days in jail, 3 years of probation, $2,500 in fines (PLUS court fees) 10k in civil penalties and the icing on the cake… a lifetime hunting ban in 48 states! BOOM! Now, that stacks up to a pretty stiff punishment.
Does the punishment finally fit the crime? Well, what do you think? It definitely fits well in my opinion. As for the father, Rex Baum, he also plead guilty and will spend 3 days in jail, pay $1,000 in fines (plus court fees) $400 in civil penalties and a 10 year hunting ban in 48 states! Rex played a much smaller part and therefore was given a lighter punishment.
Share your thoughts! Be safe, shoot straight and God bless! -J.B.
6 comments
Poachers are criminals not hunters, so let’s make that distinction regarding every poaching case from Jump Street. Poachers steal from U.S. all, especially when the main objective is joy-killing and/or trophy-gathering. In this case, the punishment sure seems to fit the crime. If the hammer is dropped on these criminals more often than not, poaching will become much too costly to risk, WHICH IT SHOULD BE ALREADY. Good to hear.
No matter how you look at it, poaching or killing animals illegally requires for very stiff penalties. There is no excuse and I personally feel jail time and loss of all hunting privileges for life is a must. These people are not hunters and if they do the crime they must do the time. Also, make them poster children so others see who they are and what they did.
Yes….agree with the two above comments…it does, indeed, seem like the wheels of justice are turning.
And yes, let’s see their faces – have them be shown especially in the nearby towns & areas where the crime was committed & where the poachers live.
48 States? Why not all 50! And the father should get a lifetime ban as well. He was an accesory. Poachers are scum.
You guys f$cking kill me!! Poachers…send them to prison if they shot a grizzly. If this were a predator article from Eastman’s going on and on about a death spiral of game animals, you woul all be praising SSS!! Hunters are their own worst enemies. Entitled, uneducated, go Trump! It’s based on science, right? Good luck.
They won’t stop they think they are immune from the law. They are not hunting they are killing.