Report A Poacher

In 2021, fish and wildlife officers were able to solve several cases with help from the public. Here is one of those cases.

SOLVED CASE: Athabasca

Fish and wildlife officers recently concluded an investigation that resulted in $12,000 in fines.

On November 18, 2018, Athabasca fish and wildlife officers received a report of a moose that was illegally shot. When the moose was recovered, it was found to be still alive, but it was left to die on its own and none of the meat was salvaged.

Upon investigation, fish and wildlife officers determined that between November 7 and 18, 2018, an unlicensed, non-resident alien hunter had shot a moose. It was an antlerless moose, for which there was no open season. The hunter was with Michael BJORNSON, who was allowing him to use his tag. Emerson ROSE, one of the hunter-hosts, directed the party to abandon the moose, leaving it to die and be scavenged.

Witnesses also confirmed that ROSE arranged it so the non-resident alien hunter could use BJORNSON’s antlered moose tag. They also told officers that ROSE directed another non-resident alien hunter to shoot a mule deer, which was illegal because the hunter was not licenced for this, and that ROSE filed a false activity report for his hunter-host activities from that season.

On March 9, 2020, Michael BJORNSON was found guilty of abandoning edible flesh of a big game and of allowing another person to use his licence. He was fined $2,750 along with a 1-year recreational hunting licence suspension.

On March 15, 2021, Emerson ROSE was found guilty of using the licence of another person, allowing another person to use his licence, unlawfully abandoning edible flesh of a big game animal, hunting wildlife without a licence and failing to submit a report about hunting activities of a non-resident alien hunter. He was given a penalty of $9,250 along with a 3-year court order prohibiting him from:

• obtaining recreational hunting licences

• obtaining any outfitter-guide’s permit, guide’s designation, or hunterhost licence

• accompanying any person in any manner who is hunting, guiding, or outfitting for wildlife in Alberta

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Report A Poacher by phone at 1-800-642-3800 or online at www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. All reporters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for an award.

REPORT A POACHER NOW. CALL TOLL-FREE OR REPORT ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

All calls are kept strictly confidential, and the information you provide can lead to an arrest, fines, and jail time. The Report A Poacher program is delivered in joint partnership between Alberta Justice and Solicitor General and Alberta Conservation Association.