JACKSON, Wyo. — A Pocatello man has received a lifetime hunting ban after being sentenced for multiple unlawful guiding and wildlife violations in Teton County, Idaho, earlier this month.
A Tuesday news release from Idaho Fish and Game states that Joelseph Jenkins was sentenced on June 2 for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; felony possession of wildlife taken unlawfully; guiding without a license; and a bear bait site violation. He was initially charged in 2024 after a multiyear investigation uncovered the numerous felony and misdemeanor wildlife violations.
“Idaho Fish and Game officers identified an unlawful guiding scheme in which Jenkins assisted hunters with the illegal taking of wildlife in eastern Idaho through an illegitimate hunting sweepstakes advertised on an Oklahoma radio program,” reads the statement.
The commercial guiding scheme spanned multiple counties, and Jenkins was found to have assisted in the illicit harvesting of five bears and four elk — three bulls and one cow. The investigation that occurred across jurisdictional boundaries also concluded that Jenkins had profited more than $55,000 through the unlawful guiding operation. According to other news reports, Jenkins is known as “American Bearded Warrior” on social media. An Instagram account that appears to match Jenkins has nearly 43,000 followers.
Judge Steven Boyce, district judge for the Seventh District of Idaho, accepted Jenkins’ plea agreement terms and issued the following sentences for the crimes Jenkins pleaded guilty to:
- State prison: 2 years determinate plus 2 years indeterminate for unlawful possession of a firearm
- State prison: 2 years determinate plus 2 years indeterminate for felony unlawful possession of wildlife (served concurrently)
- Six months in Teton County Jail for guiding without a license (served concurrently)
- Six months in Teton County Jail for a bear bait violation (served concurrently)
- Lifetime hunting license revocation
- Lifetime prohibition of accompanying other hunters in the field
- $9,750 in restitution for nine unlawfully taken animals
- $1,498.50 in total fines and court costs
“Fish and Game is thankful to the public for remaining vigilant in reporting potential wildlife crimes,” Idaho Fish and Game said. “Public involvement plays a critical role in ensuring Idaho’s fish and wildlife will exist for future generations.”
Idaho Fish and Game reminds the public that poaching is theft, and anyone who observes a wildlife crime or has information about one is urged to call the Citizens Against Poaching hotline at (800) 632-5999.
