Keith Lusher 07.24.26
An Idaho man has been sentenced to prison and permanently banned from hunting after state investigators uncovered a years-long illegal guiding operation that earned more than $55,000 while helping hunters illegally harvest black bears and elk in eastern Idaho.
Joelsef Jenkins, 47, of Pocatello, was sentenced June 2 in Teton County after pleading guilty to illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of illegally taken wildlife, guiding without a license and bear bait site violations.
Judge Steven W. Boyce sentenced Jenkins to a four-year integrated prison term, with two years fixed and two years indeterminate, for the firearms conviction. He received a six-month prison sentence for the two misdemeanor crimes, along with an equivalent concurrent sentence for felony possession of illegally taken wildlife.
However, the prison sentence was only part of the punishment.
Jenkins also lost his hunting privileges for life and was permanently banned from visiting with other hunters in the area. In addition, he was ordered to pay $9,750 in restitution for nine illegally captured animals, as well as $1,498.50 in fines and court costs.
This case stems from a multi-year, multi-jurisdictional investigation Idaho Fish and Game Special Investigations Unit. According to investigators, Jenkins operated an illegal outfitting business that advertised hunting opportunities through sweepstakes promoted on an Oklahoma radio program, bringing hunters to eastern Idaho to illegally harvest wildlife.
During the investigation, authorities determined that Jenkins helped facilitate the illegal harvesting of five black bears and four elk, including three bull elk. While the hunt violated several state wildlife laws, investigators also found that Jenkins profited more than $55,000 from the unlicensed operation.
The investigation revealed several additional violations, including illegal bear trapping, trespassing, US Forest Service closing roads, aiding and abetting wildlife crimes, and failing to remove bear bait after the season ends.
While multiple charges were initially filed in several Idaho counties, Jenkins ultimately reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Under that agreement, several felony and misdemeanor charges – including additional wildlife violations involving illegally harvested bears, illegal bear baiting and other crimes – were dismissed in exchange for guilty pleas to four counts.
The firearms conviction was based on evidence collected during the investigation. Officers executing a search warrant at Jenkins’ home recovered photographs and video showing him possessing and firing a firearm despite being legally prohibited from doing so due to previous felony convictions for burglary and grand theft in Bonneville County.
As part of the plea agreement, charges were also dismissed against Jenkins’ wife, Shanelle Jenkins, who was accused of aiding and abetting the illegal guiding operation.
idaho fish and game Conservation officers and prosecutors from Power, Caribou, Bannock, Jefferson and Teton counties were credited for their work on the investigation and prosecution.
The agency encouraged anyone who witnesses wildlife crimes or has information about poaching to report it citizens against poaching Hotline. Authorities say rewards may be available for credible information that leads to citations of wildlife violators.
keith lusher
Keith Lusher is an award-winning outdoor journalist who lives in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthShoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoors column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St. Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshree.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report radio show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and is proud to promote the unique fisheries of South Louisiana. To contact Keith email: keithlusherjr@gmail.com
