Idiot hunters put good ground off-limits
November 3, 2012
It seems that an article I wrote last month, Deer season not welcome by all, didn't reach its intended readers, and, as usual, it's the responsible hunters who pay and the gracious people who open their land to hunters who lose their trust. One local property owner, a responsible outdoorsman himself, has gone now so far as to offer a $300 reward for information that will convict the idiot(s) who abused the privilege of hunting on his land.

The McNally Partnership owns considerable lands in District 2 along the north bank of the Kootenai River below town, and for years, Kevin McNally, who manages the partnership, has graciously given permission to those asking the go ahead to access the land to hunt and fish.

That's changed.

"Today, I must use the newsbf.com site that you created to make an announcement that I sincerely wish I didn't have to make," he wrote in an email.

It seems that sometime in mid-October, a hunter or group thereof cut through a five-strand fence put up just two months ago to demark property ownership was cut.

If this weren't a family journal, several expletives would be most appropriate here.

The intrepid "hunter(s)" had already made their kill. They were faced with a choice; 1) Do the responsible thing and portage the kill a few hundred yards to their rig, or B) Cut the fence, trespass on the neighboring owner's land and save a few steps.

Since it's obvious by the tenor of this article that option B was selected, here's what this or these idiots wrought.

"This action caused me to close all McNally property to hunters until the culprits are brought to justice," McNally wrote. "I will still allow access for fishing, but that depends on the fisherman's behavior from now on."

Now, Kevin admits the damage was slight.

"The damage was not extremely costly," he wrote, "but the outright stupidity of the action infuriates me!"

So much so that he's put up a $300 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of his lazy, fence cutting culprit(s).

You can almost picture them. The proud hunter lifting his game for the requisite photo for the scrapbook and publication ...

"Might get this in the local paper, Bubba!"

"Local paper? Haw haw!" the mighty hunter snorts, thumb on nostril. "Boone an' Crockett!"

"This thang's heavy! I cain't curry her that far!"

"Hmmm ... right. Hold my beer, han' me them ware cutters, an' watch this ..."

"Bubba! Yer so smart!"

If you happen to know these fine fence cutting hunters, call the Boundary County Sheriff's Office, (208) 267-3151, and they'll notify the local Idaho Fish and Game wardens, who will bring the charges that could earn you $300.

And if you have qualms about turning in a fellow "sportsman," please remember ... you can't fix stupid, and stupid can cost you.