COTTONWOOD, ID – An investigation that began with the discovery of a cardboard box containing deer parts along a backcountry road in early October 2024 led to multiple criminal charges and a plea agreement for an Idaho County man, according to information from Idaho Fish and Game.
A local rancher found the box off a rural road several days before deer season opened and reported it to a Fish and Game officer. When the officer arrived, the box was covered in blood and contained a recently skinned deer hide, legs and hooves. The officer also observed that the box had a local address printed on it.
According to IDFG, the officer collected the box and traveled to the address listed on the label, where he met property owner Carl Van Loon, of Cottonwood. Van Loon initially denied that the box or deer parts belonged to him. After being shown the shipping label bearing his address, Van Loon acknowledged the box was associated with his residence but claimed someone else must have retrieved it from a dumpster in Cottonwood, more than 22 miles away, placed the deer parts inside and dumped it on a road leading toward the back of his property.
The officer’s report says Van Loon continued to deny responsibility until the officer stated he believed deer meat from the same animal would be found in Van Loon’s coolers. Van Loon then admitted he had killed the deer 12 days before the season opened and without a valid Idaho license or tags. The officer seized the deer meat and antlers, and Van Loon was cited for littering and unlawful possession of a deer killed during a closed season.
The following day, according to IDFG, the same officer was on patrol when he heard a large-caliber gunshot coming from the direction of Van Loon’s property. After receiving similar reports from neighbors, the officer walked to the property boundary and located a hunting blind. In front of the blind, the officer observed a salt block, water trough, feeder with hay, and a feed bin containing a molasses-like mixture of oats and grains.
The area was identified as an active bait site targeting deer and elk, which is illegal for big game animals in Idaho. Based on that evidence, a search warrant was issued and served at Van Loon’s residence. Officers reported finding multiple items used for baiting. Photos and text messages recovered from Van Loon’s phone were used as evidence of multiple deer and a moose unlawfully taken during a closed season from Unit 13.
According to investigators, several text messages indicated Van Loon placed bait with the intent of harvesting deer out of season. Other messages showed he deleted communications and instructed others not to discuss the animals.
In November 2025, Van Loon reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. Under the agreement, Van Loon received a lifetime revocation of his hunting, fishing and trapping privileges, 10 days in jail, and $10,000 in civil penalties related to the unlawful taking of a moose. Overall, the case involved six felony charges, nine misdemeanors and one infraction. As part of the plea deal for the unlawfully taken moose, all deer-related charges were dismissed.
Officials noted that very few moose frequent the area, and no moose permits are issued for Unit 13. Fish and Game officials said the case is one of hundreds investigated by officers across the state each year.
During his initial interview, Van Loon questioned the officer’s involvement, stating, “What do you care what I do on my own property? … I’m not hurting nobody by grabbing deer and putting them in my freezer,” according to the report.
