Two hunters cited in killing of grizzly bear near Wallace

Two North Idaho hunters have been cited for illegally killing a grizzly bear, a federally protected species, earlier this fall near Wallace.

Dan Tesky, of Silverton, and a 14-year-old boy each were cited by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game for misdemeanor unlawful taking of the bear on Sept. 30. The juvenile also was cited for not having an appropriate tag, also a misdemeanor.

The citations were filed in Shoshone County District Court on Friday.

The 2-year-old male grizzly had been relocated by Montana and federal biologists as part of a periodic program to boost the Cabinet Mountains grizzly population. It was fitted with a radio collar and released by researchers near Idaho on Aug. 4.

The bear was killed at the bottom of Kings Pass and Beaver Creek Road about 6 miles north of Wallace, according to the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office.

Black bear hunters are expected to know the difference between legal black bears and grizzly bears before shooting, Fish and Game officials say. Legal baiting for black bear hunting was going on in the area, the agency said.

An initial court hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 29 in Shoshone County District Court. The case has been assigned to a special prosecutor, Mariah Dunham, from Benewah County.

In addition, a magistrate in Shoshone County will consider a motion to seal court records in the case. Fish and Game officials said Tuesday they can’t comment on the case at this time.

Tesky did not immediately return a call for comment.