Report A Poacher

In 2023, Fish and wildlife officers were able to solve several cases with help from the public.

Here is one of those cases.

SOLVED CASE: SOUTH OF STANDARD

An investigation led by Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services has concluded resulting in $5,500 in fines for harvesting mule deer outside of a valid WMU.

On November 26, 2022, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services received a ReportA-Poacher call from an individual who observed two males loading two deer into a truck in a field south of Standard, Alberta, and appeared to not have tagged them. Calgary Fish and Wildlife Officer (FWO) Mark RAYMENT responded to the location, and approximately one hour after the initial call, contacted four males in a dark Dodge Ram pickup truck driving through a field on the west side of Highway 56, south of Township Road 250.

FWO RAYMENT conducted a compliance inspection and learned that one subject had killed two antlerless mule deer that afternoon on a property in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 156. FWO RAYMENT also learned that a different subject killed one antlerless mule deer that afternoon on the same property. Upon inspecting the deer, FWO RAYMENT discovered that all three of the deer were still un-gutted, and none had been tagged.

The occupants were placed under arrest, Chartered and cautioned. Upon reviewing the licences held by the individuals, it was determined that the antlerless mule deer licences they did hold were only valid in WMU 160, which is located on the east side of Highway 56.

Both subjects pled guilty in the Strathmore Court on February 8th, 2023 for a total of $5,500 in fines.

Anyone with information of suspected poaching 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 a reward.

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.