National Parks Poachers

[fishpro]

Just came across this channel on YouTube, two guys who claim to do survival / bush craft videos, and this one video / series takes place on a lake in Banff National Park. The lake is not mentioned but I know which lake it is. Several infractions are committed, including the use of drones, keeping of fish where it's not allowed, use of bait, probably random camping. Feel free to share the videos far and wide in order to shame these people, and if you happen to know these guys don't hesitate to tell them what useless trash they are.

Also, Parks Canada is fully aware and are investigating.

Update: Both individuals, Greg Ovens and Zachary Fowler, were contestants on season 3 of Alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB8LlILAo40&t=5517s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RZ7sKTlQrY&list=PLjSScLBAtGMgXbxPJ_cm95Md6Cl8vCTPR&index=24

[McLeod]

They need to be locked up !

[Albertadiver]

I'd like to hear what PARKS says!

[buckman]

I find this hard to believe. Which lake is this supposed to be? Mountain lakes all look very similar on most video clips.

I think they were somewhere in the Columbia valley area between Invermere and Cranbrook.

Also they would have to be very dumb to put up a video of themselves on You Tube if it was in the park.

[Sundancefisher]

I can guarantee for survivalists they would of brought worms with them and not dug them up at a mountain lake.

Worms are introduced and found only around where people have lived for some time.

[fishpro]

I find this hard to believe. Which lake is this supposed to be? Mountain lakes all look very similar on most video clips.

I think they were somewhere in the Columbia valley area between Invermere and Cranbrook.

Also they would have to be very dumb to put up a video of themselves on You Tube if it was in the park.

I'll send you a pm with the name of the lake, but the footage compared with pics a friend has, not to mention the drone shots compared to Google Maps, makes it very clear.

[hawk-i]

they need to be locked up !

why??????

[Sundancefisher]

I'll send you a pm with the name of the lake, but the footage compared with pics a friend has, not to mention the drone shots compared to Google Maps, makes it very clear.

I scoped out the satellite photos with the shows footage including aerial and it is definitely the lake you say it is.

Ya. Definitely not allowed bait there. Also they exceeded their limit assuming they had licences. Set line is also illegal. Illegal to keep fishing after reaching one’s limit. They need a permit to fly drones in the park boundary. Fires are only allowed in designated fire pits when a ban is not in effect. Cutting down of trees is illegal. Building a structure is illegal.

These guys are idiots.

[OL_JR]

The whole thing seems just so very odd. These guys have a large viewership, sponsors and a plethora of places to go that aren't as restrictive as a park setting to sustain them for a month, especially in summer.

I'm a little skeptic to the level of ignorance that seems to be on full display here, my gut says there has to be some sort of catch or misinformation. Interested to see how this one plays out.

[Sundancefisher]

The whole thing seems just so very odd. These guys have a large viewership, sponsors and a plethora of places to go that aren't as restrictive as a park setting to sustain them for a month, especially in summer.

I'm a little skeptic to the level of ignorance that seems to be on full display here, my gut says there has to be some sort of catch or misinformation. Interested to see how this one plays out.

Question is can someone who should know better screw up?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/fishing-host-fined-for-illegal-angling-1.165298

Do these guys even know there are rules and strive to follow them or just do what they want?

Time will tell.

[Moosetalker]

Good thing you got a sharp Eye Fishpro. glad these turkeys got caught and hopefully get whats coming to them.

The audacity of some trying for fame and fortune or just for plain greed at the expense of everyone who follows the law saddens me.

[fishpro]

Question is can someone who should know better screw up?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/fishing-host-fined-for-illegal-angling-1.165298

Do these guys even know there are rules and strive to follow them or just do what they want?

Time will tell.

I've got a feeling these guys will be getting a lot more than an $800 fine...

[fishpro]

Good thing you got a sharp Eye Fishpro. glad these turkeys got caught and hopefully get whats coming to them.

The audacity of some trying for fame and fortune or just for plain greed at the expense of everyone who follows the law saddens me.

I wasn't the first to find it, a friend came across it yesterday. Supposedly it's been in the courts for 8 months.

[OL_JR]

Question is can someone who should know better screw up?

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/fishing-host-fined-for-illegal-angling-1.165298

Do these guys even know there are rules and strive to follow them or just do what they want?

Time will tell.

These guys might have absolutley known better and broke the law anyways. But with the hyper speed info travels along the internet it would take a different level of dumb. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt...

[fishpro]

These guys might have absolutley known better and broke the law anyways. But with the hyper speed info travels along the internet it would take a different level of dumb. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt...

Supposedly it's been in the courts for eight months, so I think there was definitely a good amount of illegal activity going on. There's enough imagery to confirm the location too, I think we're dealing with a pretty big case here.

[OL_JR]

Supposedly it's been in the courts for eight months, so I think there was definitely a good amount of illegal activity going on. There's enough imagery to confirm the location too, I think we're dealing with a pretty big case here.

If that is the case then wow is all I really have to say to that... different level of dumb.

[.243dude]

http://www.eab.gov.bc.ca/wildlife/91_13.pdf

[MyAlberta]

I’m thinking that product suppliers who get behind theses kind of guys should be taken to task.

[CardiacCowboy]

I can guarantee for survivalists they would of brought worms with them and not dug them up at a mountain lake.

Worms are introduced and found only around where people have lived for some time.

Are you saying worms are a domestic animal? Worms of one kind of or other can be found everywhere including mountain lakes.

I believe this youtuber is bc based and most of his videos are filmed there.

[mapleleafman3]

What is the mystery lake that is not mentioned? My deduction from the videos are that they are shot in the East Kootenays. Ovens video (first link) says he is from Canal Flats. Fowlers video (second link) says "This time I went up to The BC Side of the Canadian Rockies with fellow History channel Alone show alumni Greg ovens". Maybe they went over a pass and into BNP but it seems a far stretch to go hours north of Canal Flats when there are lots of places to film in closer the East Koots. I could be wrong though.

[koothunter]

What is the mystery lake that is not mentioned? My deduction from the videos are that they are shot in the East Kootenays. Ovens video (first link) says he is from Canal Flats. Fowlers video (second link) says "This time I went up to The BC Side of the Canadian Rockies with fellow History channel Alone show alumni Greg ovens". Maybe they went over a pass and into BNP but it seems a far stretch to go hours north of Canal Flats when there are lots of places to film in closer the East Koots. I could be wrong though.

I know exactly where the mystery lake is. And it is accessible from Canal Flats.

[Sundancefisher]

Are you saying worms are a domestic animal? Worms of one kind of or other can be found everywhere including mountain lakes.

I believe this youtuber is bc based and most of his videos are filmed there.

Actually they are a non native invasive. There are no worms at the lake he fished. He would of brought a bait container.

[Sundancefisher]

I know exactly where the mystery lake is. And it is accessible from Canal Flats.

Nope. You can use you map app to look at the lake you think it is and then compare to the aerial drone video.

The lake is in the national park along the BC Alberta border.

[Rackmastr]

Nope. You can use you map app to look at the lake you think it is and then compare to the aerial drone video.

The lake is in the national park along the BC Alberta border.

Dont even need mapping or ariel drone video. The Google image that pops up when you google the lake is the exact mountain pictured in the second Youtube video quite prominently.

Hope these guys get thumped hard.

[koothunter]

Nope. You can use you map app to look at the lake you think it is and then compare to the aerial drone video.

The lake is in the national park along the BC Alberta border.

Sorry for the confusion. I thought mapleleafman was referring to the other lake they hike into in one of the videos. The main lake discussed in this thread is definitely in the NP, it's pretty obvious.

Another illegal act was killing the gophers in BC. They are only open on private land with permission.

[JReed]

Also they exceeded their limit assuming they had licences.

I'm pretty sure this is the year that Banff implemented the zero fish retention regulation, with the exception of minewanka lakers, due to "whirling disease". So in this case, every fish they kept out of "Grizzly Lake", was poached

[fishpro]

I'm pretty sure this is the year that Banff implemented the zero fish retention regulation, with the exception of minewanka lakers, due to "whirling disease". So in this case, every fish they kept out of "Grizzly Lake", was poached

Cutthroats have also been all catch and release in Banff for years.

[buckman]

Where can I find info on the court case?

[.243dude]

Where can I find info on the court case?

I tried searching the court cases and this is what i found. http://www.eab.gov.bc.ca/wildlife/91_13.pdf

Apparently this is not the first time “greg ovens” has broken the law

[chickensashimi]

The whole thing seems just so very odd. These guys have a large viewership, sponsors and a plethora of places to go that aren't as restrictive as a park setting to sustain them for a month, especially in summer.

I'm a little skeptic to the level of ignorance that seems to be on full display here, my gut says there has to be some sort of catch or misinformation. Interested to see how this one plays out.

You’re surprised, really?? Just look at the brain dead idiot running our country, suppress natural selection, then the idiot genes are passed down, and idiots like this are what we end up with.......

[toad]

I called parks years when this came out they did nothing as far as I know.....I think global news should hear this...
Our local Co's wont do **** either pretty disappointing they just say dont subscribe or watch his videos.....highest paid poacher ever!

[fedfred]

I reported these idiots as soon the videos came out on YouTube to both Report-A-Poacher and Banff's park office. I thought nothing will ever be done but it just took a while. I also emailed Fowler directly for an explanation and he said they got an Alberta licence after they found out they were in Alberta. I responded by saying that they were in a National Park and that lake has 0 limit. His response was: "I am well aware but there is nothing i can do about it now. It was July when we filmed and we followed what we believed to be the regs for the location we were at. Its very disappointing. "

So instead of taking the videos down, he decided to be greedy and got caught.

Parks Canada officials say the charges under the Canada National Parks Act are for the illegal catch and retention of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout and other fishing offences, hunting in a park, discharging a firearm in a park, illegal fire, damage/destroying natural objects and use of a drone without a permit.

https://www.rmotoday.com/banff/two-wilderness-survivalists-facing-charges-over-banff-national-park-survival-challenge-5013731?fbclid=IwAR02XuOem9QVW7J_9lmtfM8wmdiV7Oyvc EPe_gSpkvAeGcKyjjY2Dilc0uA

[fishpro]

I reported these idiots as soon the videos came out on YouTube to both Report-A-Poacher and Banff's park office. I thought nothing will ever be done but it just took a while. I also emailed Fowler directly for an explanation and he said they got an Alberta licence after they found out they were in Alberta. I responded by saying that they were in a National Park and that lake has 0 limit. His response was: "I am well aware but there is nothing i can do about it now. It was July when we filmed and we followed what we believed to be the regs for the location we were at. Its very disappointing. "

So instead of taking the videos down, he decided to be greedy and got caught.



https://www.rmotoday.com/banff/two-wilderness-survivalists-facing-charges-over-banff-national-park-survival-challenge-5013731?fbclid=IwAR02XuOem9QVW7J_9lmtfM8wmdiV7Oyvc EPe_gSpkvAeGcKyjjY2Dilc0uA

I can't help but suspect he fully knew it was illegal, how could two people plan a trip like that and not be able to figure out the regs? Glad to see it's in the courts, hope the fines are large.

[Frank_NK28]

I scoped out the satellite photos with the shows footage including aerial and it is definitely the lake you say it is.

Ya. Definitely not allowed bait there. Also they exceeded their limit assuming they had licences. Set line is also illegal. Illegal to keep fishing after reaching one’s limit. They need a permit to fly drones in the park boundary. Fires are only allowed in designated fire pits when a ban is not in effect. Cutting down of trees is illegal. Building a structure is illegal.

These guys are idiots.


What I am posting has nothing to do with the thread posted only a correction to a statement posted above....so please do not take this as a personal attack as it is not being directed in that way.....

I just had this conversation with a CO while fishing before Xmas when he checked me and I had a limit of stocked trout and I was still fishing. He said the same thing as you have stated that my lines are to be removed and fishing ceased as I have a limit in my possession. He also did not want to accept that my electronic license(phone app) is valid proof of a license. He stated I am supposed to carry a paper version. He said he wasn't going to charge me but next time he would. Next day after re-reading the regs and not finding anything to support his statements I made a phone call to the Provincial Supervisor of CO's for clarification of the regulations the way the CO explained them and the supervisor said his CO was wrong and should not be misinforming anglers of the regulations. He said you may continue to fish catch and release but you may not retain any more of the species for which you have retained a limit, you may not cull fish from the limit you originally retained and replace them with fish you have caught since, you must release any and all fish caught immediately and that you could be charged with wasting fish if any of the fish you release are not in a condition where they will survive after release. He said the regulations only specify how many fish you may retain, not how many you may catch and you in no way have to discontinue fishing upon retaining a limit of any species.
As for the license the electronic version on our phones is 100% acceptable and he said it is a good idea to carry a paper copy should you lose battery power or are in an area with no cel service.

[huntin'fool]

What I am posting has nothing to do with the thread posted only a correction to a statement posted above....so please do not take this as a personal attack as it is not being directed in that way.....

I just had this conversation with a CO while fishing before Xmas when he checked me and I had a limit of stocked trout and I was still fishing. He said the same thing as you have stated that my lines are to be removed and fishing ceased as I have a limit in my possession. He also did not want to accept that my electronic license(phone app) is valid proof of a license. He stated I am supposed to carry a paper version. He said he wasn't going to charge me but next time he would. Next day after re-reading the regs and not finding anything to support his statements I made a phone call to the Provincial Supervisor of CO's for clarification of the regulations the way the CO explained them and the supervisor said his CO was wrong and should not be misinforming anglers of the regulations. He said you may continue to fish catch and release but you may not retain any more of the species for which you have retained a limit, you may not cull fish from the limit you originally retained and replace them with fish you have caught since, you must immediately release any and all fish caught immediately and that you could be charged with wasting fish if any of the fish you release are not in a condition where they will survive after release. He said the regulations only specify how many fish you may retain, not how many you may catch and you in no way have to discontinue fishing upon retaining a limit of any species.
As for the license the electronic version on our phones is 100% acceptable and he said it is a good idea to carry a paper copy should you lose battery power or are in an area with no cel service.

Frank, you were fishing in Sask where the provincial regulations are completely different from those in Banff National Park. National parks regs actually do prohibit you from continuing to fish once you possess your daily limit. Parks Canada is the only jurisdiction I'm aware of that has this restriction.

National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1120)
11. No person shall
....
(c) fish in park waters set out in column I of Part II of Schedule III, on any day after having, on that day, caught in those waters and retained a number of fish of the species set out in column II that is

(i) in the case of the park waters set out in items 1 to 25, the aggregate daily catch and possession limit set out in column III, and

(ii) in the case of the park waters set out in item 26, the aggregate possession limit set out in column III.

[Frank_NK28]

Frank, you were fishing in Sask where the provincial regulations are completely different from those in Banff National Park. National parks regs actually do prohibit you from continuing to fish once you possess your daily limit. Parks Canada is the only jurisdiction I'm aware of that has this restriction.

National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1120)
11. No person shall
....
(c) fish in park waters set out in column I of Part II of Schedule III, on any day after having, on that day, caught in those waters and retained a number of fish of the species set out in column II that is

(i) in the case of the park waters set out in items 1 to 25, the aggregate daily catch and possession limit set out in column III, and

(ii) in the case of the park waters set out in item 26, the aggregate possession limit set out in column III.

That is good to know as the regs for AB read the same as the regs for SK in the Provincial synopsis. Are the Parks Regs Federal or are they a combination of Federal and Provincial?

[Smoky buck]

That is good to know as the regs for AB read the same as the regs for SK in the Provincial synopsis. Are the Parks Regs Federal or are they a combination of Federal and Provincial?

National parks are under their own license and regs separate from provincial

[Frank_NK28]

National parks are under their own license and regs separate from provincial

Good to know...thank you. :)

[CardiacCowboy]

Wow, just wow. How could a co be so misinformed? BTW was he a older CO? Some of these lifers (CO,cops.any one in authority) tend to think the know everything because of their experience and ignore new training and information given to them. I am sure when the app was introduced he was trained on it but in his mind he know better.

What I am posting has nothing to do with the thread posted only a correction to a statement posted above....so please do not take this as a personal attack as it is not being directed in that way.....

I just had this conversation with a CO while fishing before Xmas when he checked me and I had a limit of stocked trout and I was still fishing. He said the same thing as you have stated that my lines are to be removed and fishing ceased as I have a limit in my possession. He also did not want to accept that my electronic license(phone app) is valid proof of a license. He stated I am supposed to carry a paper version. He said he wasn't going to charge me but next time he would. Next day after re-reading the regs and not finding anything to support his statements I made a phone call to the Provincial Supervisor of CO's for clarification of the regulations the way the CO explained them and the supervisor said his CO was wrong and should not be misinforming anglers of the regulations. He said you may continue to fish catch and release but you may not retain any more of the species for which you have retained a limit, you may not cull fish from the limit you originally retained and replace them with fish you have caught since, you must release any and all fish caught immediately and that you could be charged with wasting fish if any of the fish you release are not in a condition where they will survive after release. He said the regulations only specify how many fish you may retain, not how many you may catch and you in no way have to discontinue fishing upon retaining a limit of any species.
As for the license the electronic version on our phones is 100% acceptable and he said it is a good idea to carry a paper copy should you lose battery power or are in an area with no cel service.

[AlbertanGP]

Last time I saw a CO, he told me not to bother carrying the paper copy of my license since he could easily look me up on his little debit machine thingy he was carrying. I try to make sure I have it on my in B.C., but in Alberta it goes in the boat or Ranger at the start of the season and stays there regardless of where I am or what I am using.

[Frank_NK28]

Wow, just wow. How could a co be so misinformed? BTW was he a older CO? Some of these lifers (CO,cops.any one in authority) tend to think the know everything because of their experience and ignore new training and information given to them. I am sure when the app was introduced he was trained on it but in his mind he know better.

He is one of the two regulars here for years and was training a new replacement showing him the area after his other partner retired last fall. We have two for this area on the SK side and two on the AB side.

[ChillyPete]

Here's a recent article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/greg-ovens-zachary-fowler-survivalist-challenge-banff-1.6336393

[stubblejumper01]

Here's a recent article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/greg-ovens-zachary-fowler-survivalist-challenge-banff-1.6336393

Wow what a loser. He says it’s the principle that they changed the rules a few years ago and didn’t do enough to inform people. Did he expect them to personally inform him?
It’s “the people’s responsibility” to know the regulations for the waterbody you are fishing. They give you the regulations when you buy appropriate licenses. But they didn’t bother with that either.
Hope they get the maximum penalties

[fishpro]

Wow what a loser. He says it’s the principle that they changed the rules a few years ago and didn’t do enough to inform people. Did he expect them to personally inform him?
It’s “the people’s responsibility” to know the regulations for the waterbody you are fishing. They give you the regulations when you buy appropriate licenses. But they didn’t bother with that either.
Hope they get the maximum penalties

Not to mention that cutthroat trout have been catch and release in Banff National Park for as long as I can remember - way before whirling disease was ever an issue, like decades before.

[Bushrat]

Know many guys like him, probably haven't red the regs for years, they do what they want, always have and generally get away with it for years if they ever get caught and few do. Wouldn't have got caught if they hadn't put it on you tube. They tend to brag about their exploits but whine and plead when they get caught.

[JohnB]

Looks like Greg Ovens is back on the next season of Alone.

[pikergolf]

Here's a recent article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/greg-ovens-zachary-fowler-survivalist-challenge-banff-1.6336393

What an entitled ass.

Parks Canada said it could not comment further, as the matter is before the courts. But Ovens says the fines total up to about $140,000 — and he plans on fighting them.

"I just couldn't believe it, really," Ovens said. "At first I thought, well, this is not necessarily a huge deal, but apparently it's a huge deal."

Try reading regulations.

"We're not denying that we were there doing these things," Ovens said.

"I mean, it's obvious in the videos, but it's just the principle that they don't do anything to let the public know when they change the rules."

[fishpro]

What an entitled ass.

Parks Canada said it could not comment further, as the matter is before the courts. But Ovens says the fines total up to about $140,000 — and he plans on fighting them.

"I just couldn't believe it, really," Ovens said. "At first I thought, well, this is not necessarily a huge deal, but apparently it's a huge deal."

Try reading regulations.

"We're not denying that we were there doing these things," Ovens said.

"I mean, it's obvious in the videos, but it's just the principle that they don't do anything to let the public know when they change the rules."

Even worse is the fact that he claims they changed the regulations and didn't do enough to let people know. Yes the park went almost all catch and release a few years ago due to whirling disease, but cutthroat have been catch and release in Banff for decades!

[fishpro]

Looks like Greg Ovens is back on the next season of Alone.

Apparently it was filmed last winter, I wonder how many people's support will be different now that these poaches charges have been laid.

[Bushrat]

Apparently it was filmed last winter, I wonder how many people's support will be different now that these poaches charges have been laid.

I doubt that 1% of viewers are or will be aware of his activities.

[italk2u]

I doubt that 1% of viewers are or will be aware of his activities.
A lot more, if History channel were to include the charges in their opener when the show runs next month.

[58thecat]

Delete....:scared0018:

[AK47]

Big fan of the show Alone. So it is very disappointing to see people who are suppose to be example how to respect nature acting like that. What a lame excuse is " they need to inform people better"? Like reading regulations is not your responsibility???

[Sundancefisher]

Has this gone through the courts yet?

[Bushrat]

A lot more, if History channel were to include the charges in their opener when the show runs next month.

Wouldn't surprise me if the History Channel people don't know about it.

[JohnB]

Well he didn't last long on Alone.

[Ronji]

Didn't he only last 6 days?
Maybe the upcoming court appearance was on his mind more than trying to win the challenge.

[buckman]

Not sure anyone will last the 50.Seems like a very harsh barren of wild food location.

[stubblejumper01]

Didn't he only last 6 days?
Maybe the upcoming court appearance was on his mind more than trying to win the challenge.

Well I sure hope they give him the maximum fines available. It’s our responsibility as fishermen to know the regs. Did he expect a personal letter to inform him of the changes? What a loser. If they would have bought a license they would have received the regs. Unbelievable. Plus he obviously uses the net to post videos so he should be able to find the regs
Also he was pretty much a whiny little bee with an itch this season. Glad he tapped out.
The 50 days looks pretty difficult in Labrador and I believe they have to last the whole time to get a share of the cash. Last one left only gets paid if they last the 50 days.

[fishpro]

$6000... what a joke!

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/other/reckless-alberta-judge-fines-b-c-man-6-000-for-catching-trout-in-national-park/ar-AA1a4O3q?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=c67bbcd6161445bfbac9bdae56e58822&ei=10

[H380]

I find this hard to believe. Which lake is this supposed to be? Mountain lakes all look very similar on most video clips.



I think they were somewhere in the Columbia valley area between Invermere and Cranbrook.



Also they would have to be very dumb to put up a video of themselves on You Tube if it was in the park.Dumb would be the understatement of the century ...but then again they would find themselves in the company of the guys in Sask that posted on social media shooting ducks on a slough with a rimfire out of season and the Prostaff archery hunter shooting elk in Yellowstone with recognizable mountain peaks in the background ...yup they definitely have company..

Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk

[Albertadiver]

https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/reckless-alberta-judge-fines-b-c-man-6-000-for-catching-trout-in-national-park-1.6362776

An Alberta judge fined a B.C. man $6,000 Wednesday for illegally catching eight cutthroat trout in Banff National Park as part of a YouTube survival challenge nearly four years ago.

Outdoor survivalists Greg Ovens of Canal Flats, B.C., and Zachary Fowler, an American citizen, filmed part of the "30 Day Survival Challenge in the Canadian Rockies" YouTube video series in the national park in July 2019.

Parks Canada wardens laid several charges in February 2022 against both men, who met while they were contestants on the History Channel TV show Alone.

Warrants are outstanding for Fowler, but Ovens agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of illegal fishing under the National Parks Act.

Justice Eric Tolppanen of the Alberta Court of Justice disagreed with the Crown position that the accused was attempting to financially benefit from his actions.

He gave credit to Ovens for an early guilty plea and for attempting to have the videos removed, but said it's a serious matter.

"A total of eight of the protected species of fish were taken from the lake. It's aggravating that natural bait was used. This type of bait is prohibited as it risks the introduction to lakes of invasive species, including the microscopic parasite that causes whirling disease," Tolppanen said Wednesday.

"I do find, however, his conduct to have been reckless. As part of the Survival Challenge, he clearly planned to live for a significant period of time in an area familiar to him within the boundaries of Banff National Park."


The Crown had proposed an $8,000 fine, or $1,000 per fish, but Tolpannen decided instead to require Ovens to post details of his plea and sentence to the YouTube channel where the videos are located and send a letter to YouTube's parent company.

Tolpannen has given Ovens six months to pay his fine but wants notice of his posting his sentence on YouTube and a note to Google LLC sent to the Crown for approval within two weeks.

[AK47]

They got away way too easy. So all other charges were dismissed? Just fishing was left? Wondering on what compassionate grounds.

[dustinjoels]

That particular video has 16M views on youtube. That would generate more than enough ad revenue to pay the fine. Penalty should've been at least as much as what his channel was bringing in in revenue.

[bradvtown]

That particular video has 16M views on youtube. That would generate more than enough ad revenue to pay the fine. Penalty should've been at least as much as what his channel was bringing in in revenue.

That's my thoughts exactly. Even the apology will generate a ton of views.

[Sundancefisher]

He made far more money off his poaching videos than $6000.

Net profit for him.

[Bushleague]

Dumb would be the understatement of the century ...but then again they would find themselves in the company of the guys in Sask that posted on social media shooting ducks on a slough with a rimfire out of season and the Prostaff archery hunter shooting elk in Yellowstone with recognizable mountain peaks in the background ...yup they definitely have company..

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I remember watching a "Survivor Man" episode, it was spring in BC and on multiple ocasions he tried throwing his hatchet at grouse... never showed him actually getting one but still..

It seems to me that these survivor types sometimes feel that they are above local game laws, as if they were actually in a survival situation. They seem to have trouble understanding that intentionally going camping without proper provisions is not the same thing.

[goku88]

He made far more money off his poaching videos than $6000.

Net profit for him.

$6000 penalty is a joke.national poacher like that should be $60,000 then they will see profit/fame not out weight penalty

[EZM]

This COULD have been a great opportunity for the crown and prosecution to send a message, educate people and reinforce how serious an offence this is ..... instead they let off a criminal, who clearly, and premeditatedly planned and broke the law, in order to monetize his videos.

I am sickened by this. What a total joke.

[flyrodfisher]

What a joke.
1)Prosecutor asks for only an $8000 fine??? I am sure the legal costs for each side vastly outweigh this. How about adding a lifetime fishing ban to that?

2) "Warrants are outstanding for Fowler, but Ovens agreed to plead guilty to a single charge of illegal fishing under the National Parks Act."
Fowler is still on the run....I guess his actions speak volumes...

3) "Justice Eric Tolppanen of the Alberta Court of Justice disagreed with the Crown position that the accused was attempting to financially benefit from his actions.
Apparently the video has 15+ million views....his youtube revenue for this is way more than $8000


4)"He gave credit to Ovens for an early guilty plea and for attempting to have the videos removed, but said it's a serious matter."

Attempting to have the videos removed???? I believe they are still up there...Even the judge notes that

Sadly, the only message that was sent here is that youtubers only need to weigh the financial gain vs the potential fine before breaking the law...