Coeur d'Alene Tribe asserts right to hunt within reservation

Monday, September 26, 2011  

The Coeur d'Alene Tribe of Idaho says its members can hunt anywhere within the reservation despite claims of a county prosecutor.

Tribal members can exercise their rights on trust land and non-Indian land, spokesperson Helo Hancock said. "Any explanation or advice to people that tribal members can't hunt and fish anywhere on the reservation is wrong, and potentially dangerous," Hancock told The Coeur d'Alene Press.

But Benewah County prosecutor Doug Payne claims tribal members can't hunt on land owned by non-Indians. He wants federal authorities to come in and sort out the matter.

"What's been overlooked in this long debate has been the crimes committed by tribal members against non tribal members," Payne told the paper.

Payne hopes to meet with the U.S. Attorney in Idaho tomorrow.

Get the Story:
Tribal hunting rights in question (The Coeur d'Alene Press 9/24)