July 14, 2020 Country Booster by The Camrose Booster

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July 14, 2020

m e G s n e d d i H ’s

The vastness of the Battle River valley is plain to see with a bird’s-eye view of the badlands and prairie fields. An incredible view and an even more incredible experience as you stand still amidst history.

Tucked away in the Battle River Valley bottom a short drive southeast of Camrose, is a spectacular slice of history and a combination of both prairie lands, badlands and neverworked soil. Located on the Hagen Farmstead, across from and around Ferry Point Campground, are some of Alberta’s hidden gems, waiting for guests to explore and learn about Alberta’s history, unique landscape and rich offerings. For full story, see page 2 of this edition of The Country Booster. (Left) Forrest Hagen of LaPrairieaire EcoTours and daughter Geneva Bast (standing), 11-year-old grandson Cohen Bast (seated right) and 10-year-old neighbour Kyle Sand, along with dog Winnie, enjoy sharing with guests their stories of the amazing land sites that make up the Hagen property.

Inside...

A variety of merchandise and services:

Farm supplies and equipment, accounting, auctions, autobody and more!

News Features… Wet conditions mean more spraying this summer. . . . . . . . . . .

Courts crack down on abuse of Indigenous hunting privileges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6 Baling good hay is very important. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

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Photos by Lori Larsen

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The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 2

Preserving natural landscape and history By Lori Larsen

Just a short 30-minute drive southeast of Camrose will take you to a stretch of landscape along the Battle River, tucked amidst lush farmland and the winding river valley, that looks like it is a shot straight out of an old western movie. Directly across from Ferry Point Campground is a unique piece of land that harbours badland hoodoos, old coal mines, stretches of prairie pasture and archeological, dinosaur and indigenous finds. The intriguing piece of land is owned by Forrest Hagen, who took over the family farmstead (along the Battle River north of Donalda) from his parents Berit (deceased in 2003) and Palmer (deceased in 2004), and made it his mission to share the wonders with others through his LaPrairieaire EcoTours business. A visit and tour with Forrest on July 4 began at his personal residence, Norbo, a renovated 1918 one-room schoolhouse. The building was purchased by the Hagen family in 1987, and was moved to its current site to be renovated and provide not only a place to hang their hats, but some incredible views for Forrest and guests down the Battle River Valley.

pler time of back-breaking yet honest labour. The visit with Forrest moved down to the land the subject of this day’s tour, the unworked piece directly west of the Ferry Point Campground. Prior to the tour, Forrest entertained with stories and a little family history around a campfire. “My grandparents moved originally from Minnesota to North Dakota, then from there to here in 1911,” said Forrest. “At that point, their address was Ferry Point and then in 1913, the railway went through Donalda and Meeting Creek, so anyone who lived on the south side of the river, their address became Donalda, Meeting Creek or Edberg and so on. Then a year later, the railway went through Kelsey, Rosalind, Heisler, so anybody who lived on the north side of the river, their address was one of those towns, and that spelled the demise of Ferry Point.” In 1919, Forrest’s greatgrandparents moved from Minnesota and farmed half a mile south of the current Hagen family farm site. “My great-grandparents bought the farmstead from the first settler who came into this area, a French Canadian by the name of Ovid Bluen.” According to

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster The repurposed threshing bunkhouse has been totally renovated and is used to give guests of LaPrairieaire EcoTours a unique experience.

Filled with artifacts and other items native to the farmstead lands, the home is a monument to the natural history and landscape of the area. Adjacent to the home are two equally fascinating projects that Forrest has completed to add to his guests’ experience: a restored 25-foot 1976 Airstream Land Yacht or a fully restored 8’ x 16’ threshing bunkhouse built on the original chassis. The bunkhouse was used to house field workers during threshing season and the minute one looks inside, you are instantly transported back to a sim-

Forrest, Bluen returned to Quebec, married and had three children, then later returned back, settling in the Rosalind area. “This particular piece of property (Ferry Point property), my dad bought in 1947.” Forrest attended school in Meeting Creek up to and including Grade 11, but because there was no Grade 12, he had to attend and graduate from Grade 12 at the Red Deer Composite High School. After graduation, he lived and worked away from the farmstead. He had a summer job at Deer Home in Red Deer, then

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Forrest Hagen speaks about the variety of sites found on the Ferry Point property including the badlands situated directly behind him in this photo.

went on to work on a seismic crew for a couple years. “After servicing an old well submerged in a swamp, I decided this life was not for me, then I went to SAIT and obtained a diploma in Petroleum Technology and ended up in Calgary from 1968 until 1999.” Most of his career in the petroleum industry was spent in sales and, near the end of that career, he was transferred to the Netherlands Den Haag (The Hague). After spending some time going back and forth to Europe, he decided he wanted to set down roots again and returned to the farmstead. “My parents were still living on the farm, and they were in

their early 80s. It was an opportunity to come back. My parents moved into Camrose. My mother died in 2003, and father passed away in 2004.” One of only two boys, (Forrest’s brother Doug lives in Tasmania and is the owner/operator of Hagen Oil, a successful waste oil recycling business), Forrest then became the custodian of the farm. Forrest has two children, daughter Geneva Bast who is a marketing agent out of Calgary and assists Forrest with his business, and son Bennett who lives and works in New Denver, BC. Forrest is also the proud grandfather to 11-year-old Cohen, Gene-

va’s son, who was on site this day to share his own youthful insight into the vast potential of having so much land on which roam around. The idea for the ecotourism business was spurred by two separate interviews on CBC radio. The first in 2014, led Forrest to make important connections in the world of Alberta archeology, and garnered attention to the area and the possibilities of archeological finds, not to mention affording him access to professionals in that field. The second connected him with a woman who was hatching a plan to begin a string of eco villages, of which his land would have been included, but unfortunately never came to fruition. “Just the fact that someone from outside saw the potential of this area gave me the confidence to pursue this.” While no doubt a salesman, Forrest’s passion for the rich history, boundless natural attractions and dreams for people to experience this land in a unique and inspiring way, goes beyond “just business”. His knowledge of the area, endless trove of stories and warm welcoming manner elevates the experience to far more than just a tour. “I love giving the tours and explaining the glacial outflow that formed this landscape,” exclaimed Forrest. “The wildlife, bird life the natural history are the foundation of this, then add some dinosaur fossils on three different properties, archaeological sites on four different properties, and the spectacular scenery, not to mention this is all within a half hour of Camrose and an hour and a bit from Edmonton–this is nirvana.” For more information on LaPrairieaire EcoTours, visit www.laprairieaire.ca.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster The unworked Hagen Ferry Point property consists of wooly prairie grasses and meadows dotted with native flowers and plants.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 3

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is published for Controlled Distribution By CAMROSE BOOSTER LTD. Blain Fowler, Publisher Circulation 12,660 copies Providing coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, Czar, Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway, Ferintosh, Bashaw, Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms).

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New research trials revisit how early fungicide applications can affect the spread of disease and a grain farmer’s bottom line. When is a good time to spray to manage leaf disease on cereal crops? Some producers include fungicide application at herbicide timing–the three to five leaf stage– believing it will reduce leaf spot disease levels later in the growing season. “This practice is not supported by previous research trials,” explained Sheri Strydhorst, agronomy research scientist with Alberta Agriculture and Forestry. “By revisiting this research, we wanted to make sure that farmers are making the best use of their input dollars while still protecting their crop.” Strydhorst and her team of researchers wanted to see if the same lack of yield response trends were still occurring with early fungicide applica-

the early 1990s and they wanted to prevent the development of fungicide resistance. “All Alberta farmers are aware of herbicide resistance, but sadly, fungicide resistance needs to be put on their radar as well.” The team conducted research trials in 2018 and 2019 at four locations in the province– Bon Accord, Barrhead, Red Deer and Lethbridge under irrigated conditions. They applied fungicide treatments to two CWRS wheat cultivars. Trials were seeded into canola stubble fields that had a history of short wheat rotations–wheatcanola-wheat-canola. This increased chances of cereal leaf disease and mimicked the typical rotations used by many farmers in Alberta. Strydhorst found that fungicide applications resulted in significant differences in leaf disease levels at all site years. The lowest levels of leaf

disease were achieved with a fungicide application at flag leaf timing. The highest yields were achieved with either a flag leaf or head timing fungicide application. “By the end of the growing season, fungicide applications at herbicide timing had similar disease levels as the untreated control. This suggests that there is no value in early season fungicide applications.” She also found that the results were very weather driven. Under dry conditions and low foliar disease levels, the team did not see any benefit from any of the fungicide treatments. The wetter the year, the more important it is to spray your crops. “This data so nicely shows that to get fungicide response, you need the environmental conditions conducive to disease development,” she added. “They say that rain makes good grain, but rain also makes disease.”

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 4

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3-PT. HITCH ATTACHMENTS • LEMKEN RUBIN 9/300U disc harrow, 12 ft., double roller, serrated blades. • SNOWBLAST 8600A 8 ft. snowblower, hyd. spout cappers & hyd. turn, 9 ft. w/ ext. • Schulte rock windrower & 7’ rotary mower. • Road Boss 8’ grader. • Farm King 6’ tiller. • 8 Ft. Disc w/ notched front & smooth rear blades. • (2) Grass seeders. • 9 Ft. cultivator. • Sovema 7 ft. rototiller. • Soil Saver root rake.

• 2014 JOHN DEERE 6170M w/ JD H380 FEL, grapple & 8’ bucket, MFWD, 1,419 hrs., joystick, LHR, 170 hp., 3 pt. hitch, 3 hyds, 540/1000 pto. • 2008 JOHN DEERE 7230 w/ unused JD 740 FEL, grapple & 8’ bucket, MFWD, 2,558 hrs, joystick, LHR, 110 hp., 3 pt. hitch, 540/1000 pto. • 2007 JOHN DEERE 7320 w/ unused JD 741 FEL, grapple & 8’ bucket, MFWD, SKID STEERS 3,489 hrs, joystick, LHR, 105 hp., 3 pt. hitch, 3 hyds, 540/1000 pto. • 2009 JOHN DEERE 7230, MFWD, 2,943 hours, joystick, LHR, 110 hp., 3 pt. hitch, 2 hyds. • 2014 JOHN DEERE 5065E w/ JD 553 FEL & 5½ ft. bucket, MFWD, 594 hours, 3 pt. hitch, LHR, joystick, 65 hp., 1 hyd., • 2013 BOBCAT S630 skid steer, 2,225 hrs., 74 hp, A/C, heater, hand & foot 540 pto., CAHR. controls, power bobtach, diesel, 2,180 • 2001 MF 251XE tractor w/ FEL & 6 ft. lb. lift capacity. bucket, MFWD, 1,692 hours, 45 hp., 3 pt. • 2009 BOBCAT S220 skid steer, 2,402 hitch, 540 pto. hrs., 75 hp., A/C, heater, hand & foot BOOM LIFT controls, power bobtach, diesel, 2,200 lb. lift capacity. • 1998 BOBCAT 751 skid steer, 38 hp, heater, foot controls, diesel, 4,322 hrs, 1,250 lb rating. • 2003 GENIE S-40 telescopic boom SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS lift, 3,238 hours, 40 ft. platform height, • 2005 Bobcat 8811 backhoe attachment diesel, 8 ft. basket. w/ 2 ft. digging bucket & 38” cleanup TRAILERS • 2014 DIAMOND 34 ft. t/a dually pintle bucket. hitch trailer, 25 ft. deck w/ 9 ft. hyd. • Talet pallet forks w/ hyd. hold down clamp. tilting rear deck. • 2014 Wells Cargo 20 ft. t/a cargo • 2013 Bobcat 7 ft. soil conditioner. • 2014 Bobcat 6 ft. rotary cutter. trailer. • 2014 H & H 20 ft. t/a tilt deck, 12,000 • 2013 Bobcat Brushcat 6 ft. rotary cutter. lb. winch. • 2013 OASIS 24 ft. tri-axle flatdeck, • Bobcat Brushcat 5 ft. rotary cutter. • Bobcat 6 ft. seeder. (or 3 pt. hitch pintle hitch. mounted) • 2011 Trailtech 20 ft. flatdeck w/ slide • Road Boss 6 ft. grader (or 3 pt. hitch mt.) in ramps. • Bobcat 5½ ft. digging bucket. • 2004 Royal 20 ft. t/a gooseneck cargo • Shoule B5 rock picker w/ 5½ ft. bucket. trailer. • Flexifinger 400 rotary style rock picker. • 2003 Double A 35 ft. tri-axle g/n dually • 2014 Virnig SRV72 skeleton rock flatdeck. bucket. • 2003 Double A 16 ft. t/a pressure unit • Degelman 8 ft. bucket. trailer w/ Roper pump, Honda 18hp. • Pallet forks. motor & split tanks. VACUUM EXCAVATOR • 2001 Royal 16 ft. t/a cargo trailer, rear barn door. • DITCHWITCH FX20 hydrovac unit w/ 27 hp. motor, 250 & 80 gal. fresh water • 1999 Trailtech 20 ft. t/a flatdeck, tanks, 150 gal. waste tank, 50’ hose & beavertails. reel, on skid. • 1997 Bluesky 29 ft. tri-axle g/n

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• 2015 FORD F-450 quad cab dually truck, auto, diesel, 39,000 km, 4X4, leather, loaded, mint cond. • 1999 FREIGHTLINER FL-112 5 ton truck w/ 9,900 lb. picker w/ Jib & 12 ft. deck, 355,339 km, 10 sp. manual, toolboxes, 11R22.5 tires, A/C. • 2007 FREIGHTLINER s/a truck w/ 12’ flatdeck, 194,883 km, 6 sp. manual, 11R22.5 tires, toolbox. • 2009 VOLVO VN Highway Tractor. • 2008 DODGE 4500 quad cab dually truck w/ flatdeck, 97,837 km, 4X4, Cummins diesel. • 2008 FORD F350 Lariat diesel, 4X4, leather, loaded, box liner, 5th wheel hitch. • 2008 FORD F350 King Ranch diesel. • 2005 GMC 2500 diesel quad cab. • 2005 Dodge 2500 diesel quad cab. • 1997 Ford F350 diesel dually w/ 10’ flatdeck. • 1993 Ford F450 diesel dually picker. • 1998 Ford F150 XLT ext. cab, 4X4. • 2002 Ford F350 diesel quad cab. • 2004 GMC 2500 ext. cab, 4X4. RECREATION • 2010 ARCTIC FOX 30’ t/a 5th wheel RV, 2 TVs, 2 slides, awning, sleeps 6, loaded, immaculate. • 2007 Honda Foreman quad, 255 miles, 4X4. • 2005 Suzuki King quad, 5,844 km, 4X4, winch. • 1998 & 2000 Polaris Magnum quads, 4X4.

MISCELLANEOUS • (2) DEGELMAN 10’ 4 way front dozer blades. • (2) SCHULTE XH1000 rotary mowers, 10 ft. • Schulte 9600F front mount 8 ft. snowblower. • Wacker RT82 vibratory trench roller w/ remote. • Clark C50030 forklift, 3,000 lb. lift capacity. • HIGHLINE 7000 bale processor, like new. • Ezee-On 2400 post pounder, w/ Honda & 4 hyds. • Calhoun s/a fertilizer spreader. • JD 12 ft. disc. • HOBART 11,000W generator w/ AC/DC welder. • 20’ & 40’ Seacans. • (4) 8’ X 20’ Rig mats. • (8) Siemens 150 watt solar panels. • Texas gates. • (14) Submersible pumps, 12V, 110V & 220V. • Drilling & Milling machine. • 50 Ton shop press. • Hi Qual hyd. power unit. • (2) Stihl Chainsaws. flatdeck, new floor. SIDE x SIDE • (±40) Poly water tanks – variety of sizes • 1994 Featherlite 16’ t/a cargo trailer • 2013 JD 625i XUV Gator, 1,885 km., etc. w/ Hotsy steamer unit, 800 gal. tank, 445 hours, 4X4, gas, power dump, bench • ±(75) – Pallets of tools/shop items. seat, excellent condition. • Plus More! generator, hose reel.

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Schools are putting agriculture back in the classroom By Murray Green

Alberta teachers are getting firsthand experience of rural life through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s Agriculture Literacy Program. Increasing awareness and understanding of agriculture and the food production system starts in the classroom, and what better way to do that than to provide firsthand experiences to teachers. In the Battle River School Division, the Round Hill School is working on bringing more agricultural learning into the classroom as well, starting this fall. A group of Alberta teachers participated in an agricultural innovations tour across central Alberta before the threat of COVID-19 changed the world. The tour included stops at a feedlot, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Crop Diversification Centre North and Olds College. “At Inside Education, our mandate is supporting teachers and inspiring students,” said agricultural educator Julie Fisher. “By organizing these types of programs, we create the chance to support teachers in their own learning. By giving them hands on experience, they have better tools to take these topics back to the classrooms and bring these ideas to life.” Inside Education is a notfor-profit education organization supporting perspective environmental and natural resources educational programs in Alberta. Fisher added that teachers also met industry professionals and gain access to experts to secure as much knowledge on these topics regarding agriculture and natural resources as possible. “We then try to help them develop an activity or learning that they can implement in the classroom via a classroom workshop, which is more focused on the actual teaching side of things.” Matt Chomistek, a teacher from Cochrane who was on the tour, said that he comes from a farming background, but the tour really opened his eyes. “My dad and grandma had a dairy farm, and we calved out around 100 beef cows. I also worked on a feedlot and the farms that provided the feed for the animals. I thought I knew what agriculture in Alberta was like–was I ever mistaken. The Inside Education Professional Development (PD) Day gave me the chance to see the incredible scope of practices and production that there is in Alberta agriculture. It was truly incredible to see innovations in tra-

ditional agri-businesses and brand new food production techniques.” This type of educational tour gives education professionals from all backgrounds the chance to learn about agricultural initiatives in Alberta and, in turn, develop course work and content that will educate their students about agriculture in Alberta. While on the tour, teachers asked questions about how to convert the practices of these agricultural businesses into projects for the classrooms and incorporate the learnings into educational material. Teachers from across the province were excited by what Inside Education’s programs could do for their classrooms. Morinville Community High School teacher Neil Korotash said that he could see how this type of professional development could change his school. “We visited a mushroom farm in Nisku, and they offer a discounted rate to schools on their used production equipment and some of the ingredients needed to start your own farm,” said Korotash, excited by the prospect of something new to grow in their school garden. “The fact that the manufacturers can make things available to schools at a discounted rate is incredible. These are very easy projects and we can have the students learning about how the family farm we visited works.” Korotash also learned about apiculture while on the tour. He said that it represented another simple project that students can engage in at almost all schools, teaching students about bees and the life cycle of honey producers. “These types of tours and professional development opportunities should be important to all educators. It’s about making people comfortable about agriculture–teachers being more comfortable teaching topics relating to agriculture and students being more comfortable learning about it,” said Korotash. “Opportunities like this from Inside Education do exactly that. It gets people thinking about ways to address agriculture in the classroom.” The tour was well attended, which speaks to the interest and need for increased learning and understanding of agriculture and the need to bring it to the classroom. All 27 in attendance chose to be there to further their education and pass it on to their students, which is important for the future of agriculture in Alberta.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 5

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Growing season on track in Central area Despite the large amounts of rain, according to Alberta Agricultural fieldmen and staff of AFSC, the wet and sunny conditions this spring have been good for the growing season. The Camrose area has had its share of rain in June, now all that is needed is some sunshine for crops and gardens to grow. Temperatures across Alberta have been normal to moderately warm relative to long term, while precipitation has been quite persistent again lately. Much of the central region received widespread rain or showers and some scattered hail in June. The rainfall is replenishing the low sub-soil moisture reserves experienced in the south and parts of central region. The southern portion of the Peace region also recorded some significant precipitation along with the southwest and northeast areas of the northwest region and the northwest part of the northeast region. Producers across much of Alberta would welcome some hot, arid days to dry out soil, advance crop development and allow time to finish post-emergent spraying. Overall, crop conditions are 80 per cent good to excellent and above average in the south, central and northeast regions, on par in the Peace, while the northwest is definitely lagging compared to the historical normal. The central region is

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currently reporting more than 30 per cent above the five-year average, south just under 20 per cent above, northeast over 10 per cent above and Peace nearing five per cent above the five-year average. Northwest region conditions are estimated at over 15 per cent behind the five-year average, resulting from the excessive moisture conditions prevalent since last fall. Peas sown in the low spots in south and central regions are showing early signs of stress from too much moisture, while the wet conditions are causing yellowing off for many crops all across the northwest region. Forage crops are generally in good to excellent condition across the province. Tame hay growth, rated as good or excellent, is at 93 per cent compared to the fiveyear average of 56 per cent. Pasture growth is rated 91 per cent good or excellent compared to the province’s five-year average of 55 per cent. While haying is underway in the south, the other regions have barely begun and are waiting for an opening in the weather to proceed. There are concerns of too much moisture, where 53 per cent is rated as excessive. In the Camrose region, crop conditions within the northeast are currently estimated at 84 per cent good or excellent and above the five-year average of 72 per cent and 10-year average of 77 per cent. Spring-seeded cereals are in the early stem elonga-

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tion stages, while fall seeded cereals are now in head emergence. Canola has over 50 per cent in the rosette stage, with peas at 85 per cent rosette stage. Surface soil moisture ratings stayed static at 91 per cent rated good or

excellent and seven per cent excessive. Sub-surface soil moisture ratings are 93 per cent good or excellent, with six per cent excessive. Producers are readying equipment in anticipation of some warm dry days to get haying underway. Pasture growth is rat-

ed as seven per cent fair, 72 per cent good and 21 per cent excellent. Information in this story has been provided by AFSC and Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, economics and competitiveness branch, statistics and data development section.

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 6

Courts crack down on abuse of Indigenous hunting privileges By Lori Larsen

In an extensive Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch (FWEB) investigation that took over 18 months to complete and bring to justice, involving a total of 44 counts under the Wildlife Act and Criminal Code, the courts ruled in May for fines of approximately $12,000 and a total of 18 years of Judicial Orders against five accused. The initial investigation began in late September 2018 with a tip from the Report a Poacher (RAP) line, to the Camrose FWEB about illegal moose hunting near Tofield. “The initial allegations were that at least two moose had already been killed in September 2018,” reported Camrose FWEB District Officer Lorne Rinkel, adding that there is no moose season until Nov. 1, unless one is an archery hunter. However, that was not the case in this situation as the complainant clearly indicated that the two moose were killed by either firearms and/or a crossbow. The complaint also indicated that the suspects were hunting at night on private property while impaired, and were unlawfully distributing wildlife meat and parts, all breaches under the Wildlife Act. Rinkel indicated that one of the accused involved was a young Indigenous male, and through the investigation, it was determined that the accused’s treaty rights (hunting privileges as an Indigenous resident) were being severely abused by the balance of the party who were non-Indigenous. “The case initially evolved as a result of the Indigenous person being used as a token, so the nonIndigenous accused could do the killing.” Leading off the initial tip and another tip received on Oct. 6, 2018, Rinkel attended the general area in question. While conducting surveillance, Rinkel observed one suspect on the private property. “I was able to observe one of the suspects (male) on an ATV on private property,” reported Rinkel. “I made observations and, subsequent to those observations, approached and then arrested him for impaired hunting, impaired driving (of an ATV while trespassing on private property), and having two loaded firearms with the safeties off on the front of the ATV. When the property owners later became aware of these incidents, they were very upset.” Rinkel said that during that surveillance, he observed the accused also pulling out (checking) an illegal beaver trap during a closed trapping season, and removing a muskrat from it, so he was also charged with possession of a fur-bearing animal, and trapping during a closed season. “There were very few portions of the Wildlife Act that he hadn’t violated at that point,” noted Rinkel. Subsequent to the accused being arrested, Rinkel seized the ATV, traps, hunting and trapping related equipment and the firearms. During the field interview, the accused produced a cellular telephone and displayed to Rinkel a photograph of an Indigenous person’s treaty card. It should be noted that the accused was not of Indigenous descent. Showing the contents of the cell phone to Rinkel gave him grounds to seize the cell phone and enter it along with the contents as evidence. The accused was charged with the “found committing” offences and released later that evening. After obtaining a search warrant for the cell phone in question, a very intensive process because courts currently view a cellular telephone with equally or more protection than a person’s home, Alberta FWEB detectives with specialized electronic training and associated court recognized expertise were able to extract other evidence that lead to the discovery of multiple previously committed violations. Those violations included hunting during a closed season, night hunting, illegal possession of three moose, baiting, trespassing, use of a restricted weapon, possession of firearms without a license, operating a motor vehicle while criminally suspended from driving, and hunting while impaired, “I located the Indigenous male, whose name appeared on the treaty card and who was also part of the suspect group, in Edmonton and conducted an interview with him at which time he provided a truthful statement,” said Rinkel. “He was a young man with a wife and two young children.” At the end of Rinkel’s interview with the Indigenous male suspect, it was determined that the group of suspects had killed four moose in one month–one bull and three cows (female moose). He also confirmed that the kills were on the private property in question, that some were during the night, and some using

In a relatively recent Supreme Court of Canada restricted weapons (crossbow). The Indigenous male suspect also provided information on other illegal verdict known as the “Jordan Decision”, it was deer hunting on private property and dangerous use established that any prosecution has to go to trial of firearms by the same group of accused. within 18 months of the charges being laid or the Information gathered during the investigation case will be dropped, which added intense pressure confirmed that while the Indigenous accused was on the Crown office to get the file to court. “There present in most cases and during the actual hunts was a real struggle to get this file to courts before and kills, he never actually “pulled a trigger”, kill- the 18 months kicked in,” explained Rinkel. “The ing any of the animals. Alberta Crown Prosecution services are already “He had never possessed a personal firearm overwhelmed with serious criminal cases and, or a firearms license, had never hunted before when factoring in the COVID-19 pandemic court meeting this group, and he knew he was being closures, to get a FWEB Wildlife Act prosecution abused for his treaty rights,” noted Rinkel. “But to trial had become very unlikely. When the crown in his defense, he was jobless and prosecution he really needed the meat for his services his was a file that the Crown family.” received Prosecutor’s office felt important to see From the three moose actuthis wildlife ally recovered by the poachers, through to the end in order to protect Indigenous file, they which would have produced rights,” said FWEB District Officer Lorne Rinkel. assig ned approximately 1,200 pounds of two specialprocessed/wrapped meat, the Indigenous accused ty crown prosecutors directly to it,” which Rinkel and family received only 88 pounds which was explained was because of the blatant abuse of the surrendered as evidence (unlawfully harvested Indigenous treaty rights which allow Indigenous meat) to Officer Rinkel. hunters to harvest fish and food for personal use of “As a Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer, use of the cardholder’s immediate family. that was one of the lowest points in my career, Ultimately, what the courts heard in evidence having to seize the moose meat from that young and on which the disposition of the case was determale (accused) and his family.” After obtaining the mined, was that four non-Indigenous suspects had statement from the Indigenous male, Rinkel was purposely recruited the young Indigenous male by able to proceed on seizing a small portion of the rest offering him a job, an apartment and friendship. of the illegal meat, but most went unaccounted for “The court’s focus was on the abhorrent abuse as it had already ended up in places unknown. The of an Indigenous person’s treaty rights. Indigenous meat seized in this investigation was redistributed hunters cannot give harvested fish or wildlife to other needy families in the Camrose area who to non-Indigenous people that constitutes illegal were not involved in the illegal hunts. distribution, otherwise referred to as trafficking. “This was a file that the Crown felt important to see through to the end in order to protect Indigenous hunting rights,” concluded Rinkel. The courts determined that this particular case was in the public’s greater interest to pursue. The prosecution and defense worked together to come to a plea arrangement avoiding a four-day trial, resulting in the fines and judicial orders. Judicial orders pursuant to the Wildlife Act (similar to probation orders) are intended to modify the behavior of the accused and, in this case, included: the guilty parties not being allowed to hunt or trap in any way shape or form, be in possession of any wildlife, accompany other hunters or be involved in a hunt in any way for a cumulative period totalling 18 years. Rinkel explained that the judicial orders also have reciprocal authority with some other provinces in Canada which makes the orders, along with the hunting license suspensions, enforceable in other provinces. “I will continue to work within Alberta as well as with partnering jurisdictions to ensure the judicial orders are enforced wherever the convicted parties may move to. We will work as a Canadawide team to prevent those behaviors from occurring in and outside of Alberta.” After the guilty verdict and prior to sentencing, an impact statement was created by an Alberta Environment and Parks biologist indicating the impact that the (illegally) killing of three cow moose had on future numbers. “In most years, female moose have twins,” said Rinkel. “Because the accused killed three females, that would have essentially equated to six offspring also being lost Submitted in an overall cycle of one year. So, in the end, the The above photo is of evidence collected during opportunity for nine moose hunting licenses was taken away from legal hunters.” the investigation. In the vast majority of Alberta, including the With further investigation on the private prop- Camrose area, a hunter can only get a moose license erty, Officer Rinkel was able to locate three out of by “lottery draw system”, being formally referred to the four kill sites and collect evidence, including as a “special license” in the Alberta hunting reguDNA evidence. The Alberta FWEB forensic lab lations. The average “lottery” draw time frame for later confirmed the samples collected from the an Alberta resident to get a moose draw can be kill sites represented two individual female and anywhere from three to nine years, depending on one male moose. Those DNA samples were then the location chosen. “The lawful moose hunter in positively matched to the meat seized from the Camrose County, on average, will wait four to six residences of the other accused, confirming that years to get a special moose draw license and these the moose meat in their possession had come from accused effectively killed 10 in one month.” Rinkel also pointed out that this particular case the illegal kill sites. It was discovered that the fourth moose took place in the Beaver Hills Biosphere which is inter(another female) was wounded with the crossbow nationally recognized as a very unique ecosystem. From the initial RAP tip to a lengthy invesand was not recovered by the poachers. With over 367 man hours invested by Rinkel tigation concluding in a message from the justice alone, the extensive file was eventually handed system that abuses of Indigenous treaty rights will over to the Crown Prosecutor’s office. Defence not be tolerated, this case showed the important lawyers were retained by some of the accused and role we all play in preserving our natural resources disclosure issued. for future generations of hunters and all Albertans.

“T

The COUNTRY BOOSTER, July 14, 2020 – Page 7

Baling good hay is very important By Murray Green

The most valuable feed for your animals is dry hay. That means baled dry and hauled to a dry shelter for storage for use in the winter. Although it has been wet lately in the Camrose area, producers must be patient in waiting for a dry period to begin cutting hay. Growing your own hay to feed livestock is the most sufficient and cheapest for your farm. Growing your own hay can be a very viable project. It has its share of complexities and challenges that must be considered. Growing good quality hay requires a combination of weed-free fields and good weather. You can’t control the weather, but one of the keys to growing quality hay is harvesting it in a timely manner, before the seeds of grass hay mature and before legume plants bloom. Once the hay begins to mature, the amount of nutrients can diminish quickly, leading to lowerquality hay that is less nutritious. Hay shouldn’t get wet once it’s been cut, as this also further reduces the nutrient content and can cause the hay to mould once it’s been baled. Growing quality hay can be a careful balancing act between cutting at the time of peak nutritional value while avoiding rainstorms, and cutting only during stretches of dry weather. Always keep an eye on the weather, because hay usually takes a few days to dry. Hay can take different forms and which one you choose will vary depending on where you live and what animals you are feeding. Grass hay can be made from many types of grass, with timothy, Bermuda grass and orchard grass the most common choices. Alfalfa is the dominant member of the legume family when it comes to making hay, with clover another to consider and bird’s-foot trefoil a popular choice for

hay fields containing more moisture. Growing a combination of grass and legumes can yield the top quality hay and the legumes add nitrogen to the soil, which is necessary for the grasses to grow to their full potential. It all starts with the soil to determine if any fertilizers or soil amendments should be applied. Nitrogen is important for grass hay, while phosphorus and potassium are good for legumes. Limestone may need to be added several months in advance of planting to achieve the maximum pH level. Having your soil tested can assist your soil to prepare for growing hay. The amount of hay your fields can produce will depend in great part on the number of important nutrients available in the soil, so supplying additives every few years can help you to greatly improve yield. Rotating the crops you grow in your fields is key, especially with alfalfa, which doesn’t perform as well when grown in the same fields for too many years. Alfalfa does better growing in fields that have previously been used for crops in different plant families. Moisture content and pests are two of the main challenges of growing quality. Hay must be dried in the field after cutting to avoid mould growth. If you make small square bales, a moisture content of around 20 per cent or less is fine, but for large round bales, the moisture content needs to be lower–about 15 per cent. Cracking stems can give you a good indication. However, moisture metres can be purchased to give you a more accurate measurement. Depending on the weather and the length of your growing season, it can be possible to cut hay early in July and then a second cut a month or so later. The second cut is higher-quality hay because it tends to be more alfalfa and clover.

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