Washington County Sheriff Admits to Idaho Cougar Hunting Violation

Admitting to some wrong doing, a Washington state county Sheriff has come clean about attempting to skirt some laws after shooting a mountain lion off the porch of his Idaho cabin. According to a press release penned by Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris last week, the sheriff has admitted that he made a bone-headed mistake and paid a $500 settlement back in March for his actions.

County Sheriff Kevin Morris, 52, of Bridgeport, confessed to a game violation in a press release last week after a local news source inquired about the incident. Latah County court documents in Idaho detail that the situation began on October 10 when Morris, who has served as county sheriff since 2018, shot a cougar from his cabin porch near Lewiston, Idaho.

Although cougar hunting season was open and Morris possessed a deer and elk permit that could have been used to tag the animal, he instead had his son purchase a separate cougar permit to claim the kill.

Idaho Fish and Game reports indicate that Morris presented the cougar carcass at an inspection station and provided the cougar tag the following day, October 11. His peculiar actions prompted an investigation. The investigator's report notes that Morris initially claimed he bought the cougar tag before the shooting but later admitted to ordering it afterward.

According to a transcript, Morris told the game officer on October 25, "...It was a legal shoot, it was the actions afterwards buying the tag (that) was not."

Following his confession, Idaho prosecutors cited him in February with a misdemeanor game tag violation, and the summons was served at the East Wenatchee sheriff's station. Morris initially pleaded not guilty. However, in March, a Latah County judge agreed to dismiss the citation in exchange for Morris paying a $500 civil penalty, which he did.

Morris issued a press release late last week admitting the wrongdoing and stating that he had disclosed the incident to his staff along with Douglas County prosecutors. 

“I made a choice in the heat of the moment and unfortunately it was not the most prudent decision,” he wrote.

Sheriff Morris has reported himself to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for a potential violation of police training standards. His interaction and statements with an Idaho Fish and Game officer may also necessitate disclosure to local defense attorneys under the Brady v. Maryland ruling, which mandates prosecutors to reveal instances where officers have lied or violated policies.

He concluded his statement by expressing deep regret and pledging transparency.

“I made a choice in the heat of the moment and unfortunately it was not the most prudent decision. I am committed to keeping the public informed of any further outcomes that may arise from this issue.”

It remains unclear as to whether Morris' acts will actually require disclosure on the Brady list.