Peck Man Convicted of Shooting Deer at Orofino Elementary School

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A Peck man has been convicted of illegally shooting a white-tailed deer at Orofino Elementary School in November 2024. After reviewing hundreds of hours of video footage, Idaho Fish and Game officers identified the suspect as Lars Nelson and executed a search warrant at his residence, where they seized evidence linking him to the crime. Nelson pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of taking a deer during a closed season and was sentenced to fines, jail time, probation, and a five-year revocation of his hunting privileges.

Why it matters

Hunting on school grounds raises serious concerns about public safety and the appropriate use of public spaces. This case highlights the importance of wildlife conservation laws and the need for authorities to thoroughly investigate and prosecute such incidents to deter future offenses.

The details

After reviewing hundreds of hours of video footage, Idaho Fish and Game officers identified the suspect as Lars Nelson of Peck. A search warrant executed at a residence in Asotin, where Nelson had been staying, led to the seizure of the suspected vehicle, clothing worn during the offense, and deer parts. Forensic testing confirmed blood collected at the residence matched blood recovered at the school. The meat and antlers were never located. Nelson initially faced five misdemeanor charges but later pled guilty in Clearwater County District Court to a flagrant misdemeanor charge of taking a deer during a closed season. The remaining charges were dismissed.

• In November 2024, the incident occurred at Orofino Elementary School.
• Last week, Nelson was sentenced for the crime.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Lars Nelson to serve his sentence on weekends.