State v. Michael G. Long, 280 P.3d 195

Officers observed shots in a private property area posted as private/archery only; Long was found crouching with a rifle near a dead whitetail.
A No Hunting sign and another sign stating No Hunting without Written Permission were visible; Long had no permission and did not know the owner.
Long was cited for recreational trespass under Idaho Code § 36-1603(a) and unlawful possession of wildlife under § 36-502(b); case proceeded to trial.
Magistrate granted Long a judgment of acquittal under Idaho Criminal Rule 29(a); State appealed seeking reversal of the acquittal.
District court initially indicated disagreement with the magistrate’s interpretation but later reversed the acquittal based on Idaho Code § 36-1401(b) (recreational trespass is criminal).
Long appealed the district court’s intermediate appellate order; Supreme Court issued State v. Howard (2011) affecting double jeopardy analysis and required supplemental briefing.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Is the appeal moot?	Long cannot be retried; mootness applies to bar merits.	No live controversy; ruling should be advisory only.	Appeal dismissed as moot

State v. Manzanares, 152 Idaho 410 (Idaho 2012) (mootness and advisory opinion considerations in appellate review)
State v. Hoyle, 140 Idaho 679 (Idaho 2004) (double jeopardy and mootness considerations in appellate context)
State v. Howard, 150 Idaho 471 (Idaho 2011) (double jeopardy impact on retrial and appellate proceedings; some merits addressed)
State v. Huggins, 105 Idaho 43 (Idaho 1983) (advisory considerations in appellate review when acquittal occurs)
State v. Barclay, 149 Idaho 6 (Idaho 2010) (avoidance of advisory opinions in mootness context)
Koch v. Canyon Cnty., 145 Idaho 158 (Idaho 2008) (mootness exceptions and public-interest considerations)