Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner Faces Wildlife Charges

An Idaho Fish and Game commissioner is facing multiple wildlife-related charges tied to the alleged illegal killing of two bull elk in eastern Idaho.

The Charges

According to reporting from the Idaho Capital Sun, Brody Harshbarger has been charged with seven misdemeanor wildlife violations in Fremont County. The reported charges include unlawful taking of game animals, hunting without the proper tag, hunting from a motorized vehicle, shooting across a public highway, trespassing on private property to hunt, and other related violations connected to a December 2025 elk hunt.

Harshbarger has pleaded not guilty, and a pretrial is scheduled for April 29, 2026. Reporting from Boise State Public Radio said the case centers on allegations involving two bull elk killed in the region Harshbarger represents.

Why It Matters

Harshbarger’s role makes the case especially notable. He serves on the Idaho Fish and Game Commission, the seven-member board that helps set hunting and fishing regulations across the state. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game lists him as the commissioner for the Upper Snake Region.

That means he serves on the body responsible for shaping the kinds of wildlife rules now at the center of this case. The charges are still allegations, and the case has not been resolved, but the situation is likely to draw added attention because of the position he holds.

The State’s Response

So far, Idaho Fish and Game has declined to comment publicly because the case remains under investigation. The agency has also noted that commissioners are appointed officials, not agency employees. Harshbarger was appointed to the commission in January 2024.