'Celebrity' mule deer in Idaho killed, man charged with poaching

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A hunter accused of killing a pillar of the Twin Falls community is facing not murder but poaching charges after he allegedly killed a celebrity buck from the area.

The Los Angeles Times reports that city prosecutors have charged 33-year-old Jacob Pool for killing a large, friendly mule deer locals called Rock Creek Monster.

Conservation Officer Jim Stirling says they are not entirely sure the dead buck is Rock Creek Monster, but that evidence suggests it is.

Pool appeared in court last week on felony charges of killing or wasting a trophy mule deer during a closed season, concealing evidence and hunting big game with an unlawful weapon.

Prosecutors say he stalked the animal, took only some of its meat and then cut off its head and threw the antlers into the Snake River.