Following a two-year investigation by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), 46-year-old Nathan Archibald of Rexburg was convicted of multiple wildlife violations on July 20th, 2025. The case began in December 2023 when a tip through the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline led conservation officers to a trophy-class mule deer buck illegally shot, hidden, and abandoned. That night, officers confronted Archibald as he returned to retrieve the deer, which he admitted to killing after dark without a valid tag or hunting license, which was revoked at the time.
Further investigation uncovered additional violations between 2021 and 2023. On February 5th, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Archibald’s home, recovering significant evidence. On October 11th, 2024, IDFG filed charges with the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office, including six felonies and 14 misdemeanors for unlawfully killing, possessing, or wasting seven white-tailed deer and one mule deer, with three considered trophy animals. Charges included hunting without a tag, hunting while revoked, using another’s tag, hunting with artificial light, trespassing, and illegal possession of game.
Archibald was arrested on October 21st, 2024, and released on bond the next day. Each misdemeanor carried potential penalties of six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a three-year license revocation, while felonies faced up to five years in prison, a $50,000 fine, and a possible lifetime ban. Civil penalties for the deer totaled $14,000. At his sentencing, Archibald accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to one felony count of unlawful killing, possessing, or wasting wildlife. Thirteen charges were dropped, and he received 60 days in jail (served over six months), $7,000 in civil penalties, and a 10-year hunting license revocation.Regional Conservation Officer Barry Cummings emphasized the case’s significance, stating, “Idaho’s wildlife belongs to everyone… We work hard to hold to account those who would steal that resource.” The investigation, involving over 300 hours by three lead officers, relied on public tips. IDFG encourages reporting violations to the Citizens Against Poaching Hotline at (800) 632-5999, available 24/7 with anonymous reporting and potential cash rewards.
