Idaho Files Criminal Complaint Against Ryan Lampers Over Trophy Deer, Lion, and Wolf Cases

[Schmo]

For those who say 27 years is steep. Maybe, but maybe not. For an unknown citizen who did some poaching, I’d say that’s steep. For someone who is a highly public figure, an influencer who has tons of followers, and makes half his living doing this, I’m not sure it’s that steep. Being in a position of influence comes with responsibility, and even bigger consequences when willfully doing wrong.

 

[woods89]

Seeing his mug shot really kind of drives home the point to make good choices out there. I bet he would give a lot right now to be able to go home to his family every evening. You have to wonder where it all started.

I greatly dislike the industry he was in, and in no way want to defend what he did, as I can't imagine he didn't know exactly what he was doing. But I think about his kids, and it's just a painful thought.

No deer, or number of followers, is worth putting yourself in this situation.

 

[Coveyleader]

There’s deer along the Platte river and Cherry Creek? What’s the point creep in those units? . Fair point though.

I don't know anything about the points, but the number of "creeps" that are "high" is high, and increasing daily vs yearly.

 

[CorbLand]

For those who say 27 years is steep. Maybe, but maybe not. For an unknown citizen who did some poaching, I’d say that’s steep. For someone who is a highly public figure, an influencer who has tons of followers, and makes half his living doing this, I’m not sure it’s that steep. Being in a position of influence comes with responsibility, and even bigger consequences when willfully doing wrong.

They also need to remember that it’s “could face up to 27.5 years.” There are maximum penalties set for certain crimes and that is what will be reported in. The punishments will likely be far far less than that.

Seeing his mug shot really kind of drives home the point to make good choices out there. I bet he would give a lot right now to be able to go home to his family every evening. You have to wonder where it all started.

I greatly dislike the industry he was in, and in no way want to defend what he did, as I can't imagine he didn't know exactly what he was doing. But I think about his kids, and it's just a painful thought.

No deer, or number of followers, is worth putting yourself in this situation.

His bail was set at 600 bucks. I would bet he posted that within minutes of being able to.

 

[JShe95]

Obviously he likely won’t actually get sentenced to 27 years but at 51 years old even half of that basically ends your hunting life, regardless if he gets a lifetime ban or not.

 

[voltage]

Wonder when Muley freak signs him to the team. Pretty sure guilty pleas are a requirement for admission to their company

I watched the Muley Freak recent mule deer video as I previously hunted with that outfitter and wanted to see if the outfitter was still a shit show (turns out they are), and the entire video made me want to vomit. I think the kids call it "cringe".

 

[alexnelon]

Obviously he likely won’t actually get sentenced to 27 years but at 51 years old even half of that basically ends your hunting life, regardless if he gets a lifetime ban or not.

I'll bet my favorite socks he won't spend a week in jail.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'll bet my favorite socks he won't spend a week in jail.

I wouldn't bet against a week+

 

[woods89]

His bail was set at 600 bucks. I would bet he posted that within minutes of being able to.

I missed that and thought he was currently being held. Thanks!

 

[mntnguide]

I watched the Muley Freak recent mule deer video as I previously hunted with that outfitter and wanted to see if the outfitter was still a shit show (turns out they are), and the entire video made me want to vomit. I think the kids call it "cringe".

I agree entirely. . Also, that outfitter was running an illegal spike camp as that video shows, no outfits are permitted to run a spike camp like that up there for deer opener...And now that info has been passed along to the proper authorities. Go figure, muley freak missing shots long range at deer, and doing illegal shit. imagine that

 

[Pacific_Fork]

I agree entirely. . Also, that outfitter was running an illegal spike camp as that video shows, no outfits are permitted to run a spike camp like that up there for deer opener...And now that info has been passed along to the proper authorities. Go figure, muley freak missing shots long range at deer, and doing illegal shit. imagine that

If you’re correct, what are outfitters thinking when they have cameras and large followers to easily catch them and turn them in? Are they that stupid, arrogant, or ignorant? Or all of the above?

Funny I watched a YouTube video years ago where an outfitter packed out an illegally taken buck from the wrong unit. He def knew what was up, but didn’t care about his business being filmed abating a wildlife crime.

 

[mntnguide]

If you’re correct, what are outfitters thinking when they have cameras and large followers to easily catch them and turn them in? Are they that stupid, arrogant, or ignorant? Or all of the above?

Funny I watched a YouTube video years ago where an outfitter packed out an illegally taken buck from the wrong unit. He def knew what was up, but didn’t care about his business being filmed abating a wildlife crime.

i would say all of the above. The outfitter is a wealthy guy with a long range hunting tv show...maybe he didnt think they would blatantly state that they were heading to a spike camp in the video...idk. play stupid games win stupid prizes.

whether anything comes of it, who knows. forest service rangers arent exactly cream of the crop for doing their job either

 

[BLJ]

Does anyone know if YouTube takes the videos down if there is a conviction?
Speaking generally of hunting videos.

 

[MNGrouser]

They also need to remember that it’s “could face up to 27.5 years.” There are maximum penalties set for certain crimes and that is what will be reported in. The punishments will likely be far far less than that.

This is 100% correct. Every crime has a "maximum" punishment. In Minnesota the maximum for 5th Degree possession of controlled substances is up to 5 years in prison and or a $10,000. When these cases get reported, the journalists take the maximums of every count and add them all up. In this case that addition equals 27.5 years. That is never how it works. A first time offender on the Minnesota drug possession case example will spend 0 days in prison, let alone 5 years. If they mess up on probation a bunch of times, the Judge may finally send them but it will be 12 months, not 60.

Also keep in mind multiple sentences for multiple convictions are generally run concurrently, not consecutively. If Lampers gets 10 months on count 1, 10 months on count 2, 6 months on count 3 and 6 months on count 4, he will not serve 32 months. He will serve 10 months. Lots of legalese to say headlines on maximum sentences are misleading. I'd be surprised if someone with a clean record (no prior convictions) served a day in prison.

Now the revocation of hunting privileges and for how long is a whole 'nother story.

 

[CMF]

Sad to see people throw away their lives and everything they love in the name of social media influencing. It's an evil monster that eventually eats you.

And to your second point influencer wildlife crimes happen way more than we all realize. It’s the same rate, probably higher, than the general hunting public.

Ever consider he was a poacher before social media?

Just seems everyone is quick to blame being a social media influencer as the motivation for poaching, when maybe he was a poacher all along....
Plenty of guys poaching that don't have social media, I'd argue even more based off characters I've met over the years.
Just saying correlation isn't always causation....

 

[voltage]

I agree entirely. . Also, that outfitter was running an illegal spike camp as that video shows, no outfits are permitted to run a spike camp like that up there for deer opener...And now that info has been passed along to the proper authorities. Go figure, muley freak missing shots long range at deer, and doing illegal shit. imagine that

When I was with them, they took a client on a spike camp and told us all not to tell anyone.