In addition to trying to sway your next gear purchase or get you to ingest the latest version of some chalked up supplement specially formulated for your specific type of hunting, hunting influencers seem to be expanding their horizons in an attempt to find another avenue to fame: breaking the law.
Yes, in the event that you thought hoped that we had weeded out all of the unethical folks out there slinging arrows and bullets for likes, another one has unfortunately bubbled up to the surface. As my mother always says, the cream always rises to the top and in some cases, that can apply to those doing their absolute best to become their worst selves. Case in point is 51-year-old Ryan Lampers, a Montana-based, carnivore-diet-preaching, backcountry-hunting influencer known as “StHealthy Hunter” who has since found himself embroiled in some massive poaching allegations.
On Tuesday, the Lemhi County Prosecutor’s Office in Idaho dropped a criminal complaint that reads like a middle finger to every ethical hunter out there. Eight charges - two felonies and six misdemeanors - allege Lampers poached a trophy mule deer, a mountain lion, and a wolf in 2024, lied about where he killed them, and pocketed a handful of cash by gaming the system.
It wasn’t a Merry Christmas for Lampers
And in a world where we are used to seeing prosecutors do nothing but offer offenders a meak slap on the wrist; this one’s potentially a full-on body slam for the dude who (allegedly) built his brand on rugged authenticity.
According to the court docs filed in Idaho’s Seventh Judicial District. Lampers didn’t just bend the rules, it sounds like he (allegedly) snapped them in half. The charges, backed by Idaho Fish and Game’s investigation, paint a grim picture of a guy desperate to furnish his trophy case in exchange for some Travis Kelce-style internet fame. Here’s what they look like:
Felony #1: Grand Theft by Deception. On December 8, 2024, Lampers allegedly shot a wolf in Unit 21 but claimed it went down in Unit 28, a higher-paying zone for wolf harvest reimbursements. He cashed out $2,000 from the Foundation for Wildlife Management (F4WM) with the lie.
Felony #2: Unlawful Possession of a Trophy Mule Deer Buck. December 1, 2024, Unit 21, closed season, no valid tag. Lampers is accused of bagging a 175 4/9-inch Boone and Crockett mule deer buck.
Misdemeanors Galore: Six more charges pile on, including hunting without valid tags for the mule deer and a mountain lion (killed December 6, 2024, in Unit 21 with a reduced-price tag, falsely reported as Unit 28), taking game in a closed season, and possessing/transporting illegally killed animals. Oh, and lying to wildlife officials about it all.
As it stands today, if convicted, Lampers is staring down prison time, big-time fines, restitution payments, and a hunting license ban that will, in all likelihood, follow him across state lines. The court’s already requested a book-and-release warrant to drag his a*s in. No word yet on an arrest, but the clock is most definitely ticking. Lampers, who has since nuked his Instagram and Facebook accounts, has (naturally) not publicly responded to the allegations.
Lampers with a velvet mulie | Facebook
The unfortunate reality of cases like this is that Lampers and others in the space are no longer just random dudes (or dudettes) with a rifle or a bow. In Lampers’ case, he’s a social media star, peddling a lifestyle of primal diets, with collabs with high-profile brands like Vortex Optics and GOHUNT. His YouTube videos and podcast appearances - often alongside names like Brian Call (himself a convicted poacher) sold an image of the ultimate backcountry badass. But this scandal pulls back the curtain on what some call the dark side of hunting’s influencer era. The pressure to churn out content can tempt even the “best” to cut corners. And one thing these folks seem to forget is that when you’re filming your hunts for fame, every move is a potential exhibit in court.
The case echoes other high-profile poaching scandals involving influencers, such as Josh and Sarah Bowmar or most recently, Matt Jennings, raising questions about the pressures of content creation in the hunting industry.
The allegations have ignited heated discussions in hunting forums and on social media, where Lampers was once celebrated for his backcountry expertise. Many in the community express betrayal, viewing the case as emblematic of broader issues with "hunting influencers" who prioritize content over ethics. Reactions range from shock at a respected figure's alleged actions to outright condemnation of the influencer culture that may encourage rule-breaking for views and sponsorships.
Unfortunately Lampers’ wife’s business is at stake as well
From where I stand, hunting’s not just a sport. It’s a pact with the land, the animals, and most importantly, the folks who’ll hunt those same grounds years from now. Lampers’ alleged stunt isn’t just about one guy’s bad choices; it’s another black eye to a community already fighting to prove hunting’s not just for showboating clout-chasers. Public lands are under pressure and when a high-profile figure like Lampers allegedly treats them like his personal playground, it gives ammo to every anti-hunting activist out there.
The good news is, the hunting world doesn’t forgive easily, and the internet never forgets. As Lampers faces the music in court, the bigger question looms: will this case push for tighter rules on how influencers operate in the wild? Or will we be treated to more scandals until the only thing left to hunt for is clout?
