Douglas County Sheriff addresses 2024 mountain lion incident, cites mistake in tag use

Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris

EAST WENATCHEE — Douglas County Sheriff Kevin Morris has publicly addressed a 2024 incident in which he shot a mountain lion on his private property in Idaho, admitting he mistakenly purchased the wrong tag after the fact and has since faced legal review.

In a statement released Friday, Morris said the shooting took place on Oct. 10, 2024, while he was on personal time and property. At the time, Morris held an unfilled Idaho non-resident deer and elk tag, which under Idaho law (Statute 36-1101(a), IDAPA 13.01.08.250.04), allows for the lawful harvest of a mountain lion during an open corresponding season.

“However, instead of notching the rightfully held tag, I purchased a mountain lion tag after the fact,” Morris said. “I want to emphasize that at the time of the shooting I was lawfully able to shoot the mountain lion; it was in no way, shape, or form poaching of any kind.”

Morris said he was later contacted by Idaho Fish and Wildlife officials on Oct. 25 and asked to recount the event. He admitted that he initially told a different version of events regarding the tag use.

“I told the Fish and Wildlife agent that I had shot the mountain lion with the intention of using my existing tag but made the regrettable decision to purchase a mountain lion tag after the fact, which contradicted what I said earlier,” he said.

After returning to Washington, Morris said he self-reported the incident to the Douglas County Prosecutor’s Office and briefed his command staff.

Following a review by Idaho Fish and Wildlife, the case was referred to the Latah County Prosecutor’s Office, which filed a criminal complaint on Feb. 13. Morris said he cooperated with authorities and that the offense was later dismissed civilly after he paid a fine on March 20.

“My office notified the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) within the required 15-day period,” he said. “As of today, I have not received any comments from CJTC.”

Morris said he has requested a peer review of the incident and pledged transparency going forward.

“I deeply regret my decision not to use the existing tag. This has weighed heavily on my mind ever since,” he said. “I made a choice in the heat of the moment and unfortunately it was not the most prudent decision.”

The sheriff concluded by stating he remains committed to informing the public of any further developments.