Hunting

Dozens of ducks were killed and dumped. Idaho Fish and Game is looking for answers

Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials are looking for information on dozens of poached mallard ducks, pictured here, that were shot and dumped outside Nampa late last month.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials are looking for information on dozens of poached mallard ducks, pictured here, that were shot and dumped outside Nampa late last month. IDFG

Idaho Department of Fish and Game officials are seeking information on a poaching case involving dozens of dead ducks left to waste in Canyon County.

The agency in a news release said conservation officers on Feb. 1 learned of a number of mallard ducks dumped by a rockpile near the Mora Canal near Lynnwood and Bowmont roads. The area is a few miles southeast of Lake Lowell.

The officers found 49 duck carcasses — seven times the legal daily bag limit of seven ducks. Hunters can only legally possess three days’ worth of bag limits, or 21 ducks, at a time.

“It’s apparent that whoever shot these birds made no effort to harvest the edible portion of meat as required by law,” conservation officer Craig Mickelson said in the news release. “Seeing this number of ducks go to waste is a travesty.”

Officials said they believe the ducks were shot between Jan. 27 and Jan. 31.

Anyone who may have information on the poaching case is urged to call Fish and Game’s Nampa Regional Office at 208-465-8465 or the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at 1-800-632-5999. Hotline calls can be made anonymously, and tipsters may receive a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.

This story was originally published February 13, 2024 at 10:41 AM.

Nicole Blanchard
Idaho Statesman
Nicole Blanchard is part of the Idaho Statesman’s investigative and watchdog reporting teams. She also covers Idaho Outdoors and frequents the trails around Idaho. Nicole grew up in Idaho, graduated from Idaho State University and Northwestern University with a master’s degree in journalism. Support my work with a digital subscription
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