Spirit Lake hunter faces charges

SANDPOINT — An arraignment hearing is pending for a Spirit Lake man accused of firing on simulated wildlife during an Idaho Department of Fish & Game sting operation.

Erik Edward Winters is charged with attempting to harvest simulated wildlife, attempting to harvest a big game animal with artificial light and shooting from a public roadway, all of which are misdemeanors.

The charges stem from an Idaho Fish & Game operation on Hoodoo Mountain on Nov. 15, according to court documents. After conservation officers installed the simulated deer, Winters was seen stopping on the forest road, getting out and shooting at the fake animal while shining his headlights on it, a Fish & Game officer’s report said. Part of the incident was video recorded on an officer’s mobile phone, court documents indicate.

Winters, 25, allegedly told officers that the simulated game was the only deer he’d seen all day and that it was a “good one,” the officer’s report said.

Winters faces being fined if convicted of firing on the simulated wildlife and using artificial light, according to Idaho Code. If convicted of shooting from the roadway, he faces a penalty of up to six months in jail. Winters’ violations were deemed “flagrant,” which means he could have his hunting privileges revoked for at least a year and possibly for the rest of his life, court records show.

Winters is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 4, 2019, in Bonner County Magistrate Court. A judge has declined to find probable cause for the artificial light charge, which means officers will have to present additional evidence in order for it to advance.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.