A father-son taxidermy duo in Filer, Idaho is accused of mounting several illegally killed game animals for a group of alleged poachers who are also facing criminal charges in the Gem State. According to Idaho News 6, local investigators say Tom and Ryan Schiermeier of Schiermeier Taxidermy accepted and processed orders for the mounts of 43 illegally killed animals.
Field & Stream reported on the case that the charges stem from back in August 2024. It involved east Idaho landowner and electrical co-op president Karl Studer. Studer is charged with an array of wildlife violations that include harassing deer and elk with his helicopter, using the aircraft to aid in illegal hunts, selling landowner tags on the black market, and more.
During an investigation into Studer, Idaho wardens executed a search warrant at the Schiermeier’s shop in Filer, about 8 miles west of Twin Falls. While preforming the search, they found 43 intake forms for illegally killed game animals hidden in the bottom of a filing cabinet. The cabinet also contained documents “associated with the felony case against Karl Studer," according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Idaho 6.
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All told, the Schiermeiers face 18 charges in the case. That includes two felonies for Tom Schiermeier and one for his son Ryan for “destruction of evidence and preparing false evidence.” Preliminary hearings for the men will be held on May 9. Karl Studer is still awaiting the jury trial for his seven felony charges. His court date is set for August 11, 2025.
