Idaho Wildlife Managers Pulling Out Bag of Tricks

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — With hunting season upon Idaho, wildlife managers are digging into their bag of tricks again to catch scofflaws. The Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife Service id breaking out its herd of fake animals — simulated specimens of deer, elk and other game species — to use in areas where they've gotten complaints including car hunting or spotlighting.

Such activities are against the law and hunters who are caught face license revocation, a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. There's also $50 minimum restitution penalty for shooting a decoy — to help maintain them. Idaho is among 48 states that use the artificial animals to catch illegal hunters. Officials say this method of catching people breaking hunting laws has been upheld by the courts as legal.