Idaho wildlife official RESIGNS after killing and posing with 14 dead animals during African trophy hunting trip

  • Blake Fischer handed his letter of resignation to Idaho Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday
  • Fischer and his wife shot at least 14 animals in Namibia while on a hunting trip
  • He argued he didn't do anything immoral despite using a bow and arrow 
  • The photos ignited an angry social media campaign calling for his ouster 

By Ariel Zilber and Leah Mcdonald For Dailymail.com

Published: 23:20 EDT, 15 October 2018 | Updated: 03:02 EDT, 16 October 2018

Blake Fischer informed Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday that he is stepping down from his post as the head of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission

Blake Fischer informed Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday that he is stepping down from his post as the head of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission

The Idaho state conservation official who posted photos of himself smiling alongside wild animals he killed during an African hunt has resigned.

Blake Fischer informed Governor C.L. 'Butch' Otter on Monday that he is stepping down from his post as the head of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission.

‘Please consider this letter as a statement of my resignation from the Idaho Fish & Game Commission,’ Fischer wrote to the governor in a letter obtained by KBOI-TV.

‘I recently made some poor judgments that resulted in sharing photos of a hunt in which I did not display an appropriate level of sportsmanship and respect for the animals I harvested.

‘While these actions were out of character for me, I fully accept responsibility and feel it is best for the citizens of Idaho and sportsmen and women that I resign my post.

‘I apologize to the hunters and anglers of Idaho who I was appointed to represent and I hope that my actions will not harm the integrity and ethic of the Idaho Fish & Game Department moving forward.’

The photos posted by Fischer triggered outrage on social media. 

Ricky Gervais, the British comedian and animal rights advocate, referred to Fischer as a ‘pathetic c***.’

Others on Twitter lashed out at Fischer, who - along with his wife - is seen posing with slaughtered baboons, giraffes, and other hunted game during a recent trip to Namibia.

Fischer and his wife shot at least 14 animals in Namibia, according to the photos and descriptions included in an email he sent to more than 100 recipients.  

Fischer posted a picture of a family of baboons he shot dead with a bow and arrow 

Fischer posted a picture of a family of baboons he shot dead with a bow and arrow 

Fischer has been severely criticized over his action given that he is a member of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and his judgement has been called into question
Fischer has been severely criticized over his action given that he is a member of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and his judgement has been called into question

Fischer (pictured) has been severely criticized over his action given that he is a member of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission and his judgement has been called into question 

British comedian Ricky Gervais referred to Fischer as a 'pathetic c***'

British comedian Ricky Gervais referred to Fischer as a 'pathetic c***'

Daniel Schneider demanded that Fischer resign because he was 'without any respect for life'

Daniel Schneider demanded that Fischer resign because he was 'without any respect for life'

Another Twitter user called him 'human garbage' who 'epitomizes the worst of what our species is'

Another Twitter user called him 'human garbage' who 'epitomizes the worst of what our species is'

Actor Tom Arnold called Fischer 'a big coward' and 'scum of the earth'

Actor Tom Arnold called Fischer 'a big coward' and 'scum of the earth'

'Tweet the governor and demand that this awful man is fired,' tweeted another Twitter user

'Tweet the governor and demand that this awful man is fired,' tweeted another Twitter user

Another Twitter user called Fischer's trip through Africa a 'reign of terror'

Another Twitter user called Fischer's trip through Africa a 'reign of terror'

This Twitter user said Fischer was 'a monster' who was 'adding more tarnish to Idaho'

This Twitter user said Fischer was 'a monster' who was 'adding more tarnish to Idaho'

The animals included a giraffe, leopard, impala, sable antelope, waterbuck, kudu, warthog, gemsbok (oryx) and eland.

Fischer responded to the criticism by saying he didn't do anything illegal, unethical or immoral.

Former commission member Fred Trevey also called on Fischer to resign.

Most of the photos with the African animals are posed as standard big game hunting photos of the kind often seen in Idaho with deer, elk and mountain lions.

The photo causing some to question Fischer's judgment and ability to remain a commission member is one of him smiling broadly with four dead baboons propped in front of him, blood visible on the abdomen of the smallest baboon. 

Fischer killed them using a bow and arrows.

Fischer submitted his letter of resignation to the governor, C.L. 'Butch' Otter (pictured)

Fischer submitted his letter of resignation to the governor, C.L. 'Butch' Otter (pictured)

'So I shot a whole family of baboons,' Fischer wrote below the photo in the emails he sent.

Keith Stonebraker, a former commission member, said an apology by Fischer would satisfy him.

'They killed a whole family, including small baboons, and I think that's revolting," Stonebraker said. 

'It just puts a bad light on us'. 

The commission Fischer served on makes policy decisions concerning Idaho's wildlife, and it often manages game populations through hunting and fishing regulations.

Fischer took part in a hunting trip with his wife Namibia, according to the photos and descriptions included in an email he sent to more than 100 recipients

Fischer took part in a hunting trip with his wife Namibia, according to the photos and descriptions included in an email he sent to more than 100 recipients

Those regulations are intended to require ethical behavior in the pursuit of wildlife. 

Some of Idaho's policies, such as on wolf and grizzly bear hunting, have been challenged in federal courts.

The commission has seven members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.  

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Idaho wildlife official who posed with animals he killed during African trophy hunting trip RESIGNS

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