Sarah and Josh Bowmar, a bowhunting couple known for their social media content, received a sentencing after a two-year case. The couple was first indicted in 2020 during the largest poaching sting in Nebraska history. According to the 20-page Grand Jury indictment, the Bowmars faced numerous counts of illegal baiting of wildlife, hunting turkeys without a valid permit, illegally transporting game across state lines, and being a party to other violations.
The court accepted the Bowmar’s plea agreement on Jan. 12, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Bowmar pleaded guilty to conspiracy. A conspiracy is “an agreement to commit an unlawful act.” Per the plea agreement, the baiting and poaching charges were dismissed.
The couple was sentenced to a three-year probation which includes losing their hunting privileges in Nebraska. They will jointly pay restitution in the amount of $13,000 and $25,000 each in fines. Bowmar Bowhunting, LLC, will also pay $25,000 in fines.
The Bowmars have had several bouts with the law in recent years, including one surrounding their Bowmar Nutrition brand. According to the Des Moines Register, in October 2021, consumers sued Bowmar Nutrition, saying laboratory testing proved some of its products have 10% to 67% fewer grams of protein than advertised, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch. Some of those claims were dismissed in March, according to the Capital Dispatch, but the case continues.
Josh Bowmar also is facing charges of reckless use of a firearm or explosive in Clarke County for a “controlled burn” that got out of control on April 10 last year. Bowmar started the fire on his property “despite extremely strong winds and dry conditions,” according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 18 by Brian and Susan Crites, who live in Waukee and own land that neighbors Bowmar’s. The fire spread to the Crites’ land and burned down a cabin. The criminal case is set to go to trial in April 2023, as also reported by the Des Moines Register.
The Nebraska outfitter, Jacob Hueftle, who guided them previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, along with 30 other people who were indicted. Hueftle was sentenced in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska to 30 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $214,375 in restitution, jointly with his company, Hidden Hills Outfitters LLC. Hueftle also was given a 15-year ban on hunting, trapping or any related business after his prison sentence is served.
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