(Photo: Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement on Facebook)

By Justin Goulet

Three people charged in southern Alberta poaching incident

Dec 9, 2021 | 11:18 AM

PINCHER CREEK, AB – Three people have been charged following a poaching incident in southern Alberta.

On October 30, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services received a report of an antlered elk that was shot and left on private property, south of Pincher Creek.

Officers concluded that the incident happened at around 11:18 a.m. that day. Fish and Wildlife says a mid-to-late 2000 white Dodge pickup truck with at least two male occupants encountered a herd of elk on Township Road 52, about 11 kilometres south of Pincher Creek.

Accounts from witnesses described the passenger of the truck shooting at the elk from a fence post in the ditch as the elk were crossing the road onto private land.

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Fish and Wildlife noted on Thursday that three people have since been charged, thanks to a call from a member of the public. The three individuals are due to be in provincial court on March 15, 2022.

The agency noted on social media that, “this case highlights the vital role the public plays in assisting fish and wildlife officers with their investigations.”

“Often, one small piece of information is all that is needed for officers to successfully investigate and conclude a file. The Report A Poacher line is toll-free 1-800-642-3800.”

Fish and Wildlife is reminding residents that it is unlawful for a person who has killed or is in possession of a game bird of big game animal, other than a mountain lion or bear, to abandon, destroy or allow any of its flesh to become unfit for human consumption.

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