Idaho Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Brody Harshbarger faces seven misdemeanor charges related to hunting violations.
The Fremont County Prosecutor’s office on March 6 charged Harshbarger with three counts of unlawful taking of game, and one count each of hunting without an appropriate tag, hunting from a motorized vehicle, shooting across a public highway and trespassing on private property to hunt.
Charging documents say Harshbarger was hunting near Spring Hollow boat ramp in Fremont County on Dec. 20, 2025 when they were reported to the citizens against poaching hotline. Conservation officers and a Fremont County sheriff’s deputy responded, and found that Harshbarger or a second man, identified in court documents as Eric Murphy, had shot and killed one bull elk on private property and a second bull elk on federal land nearby.
Harshbarger did not have a valid elk tag at the time, according to charging documents, because he had filled it the weekend prior. Murphy lacked a valid tag for hunting on federal land. The pair also did not get permission to shoot onto private property, leading to the trespassing charge, and made no attempt to retrieve the bull elk shot on private property.
Charging documents state Harshbarger was driving Murphy, obtained permission for the hunters, and was directing where to shoot. Harshbarger is not specifically accused of shooting the animals himself, though prosecutors have asked to analyze his weapon.
Idaho law prohibits both the direct poaching of wildlife and aiding or abetting the poaching of wildlife.
Court records show Harshbarger pleaded not guilty to the charges and could next appear in court for a pre-trial conference April 29. Murphy is set to be arraigned April 2.
Idaho Fish and Game Commissioners are appointed by gubernatorial appointment. Gov. Brad Little’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges.
The Idaho Capital Sun reports documentation from the governor’s office dated March 10 shows Harshbarger agreed to step away from his duties with the Fish and Game Commission until the criminal charges are resolved.
