Caribou poached in East Central AB

Pudelpointer · #1 12-23-2011, 12:48 PM

Posted for IR Mike: (BTW - that was a PITA!!!!)

Poached caribou
left to waste
M E L I S S A B A R R
N o u v e l l e S t a f f

A female woodland caribou, a threatened species under the Wildlife Act, was found dead of gun shot wounds just south of the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range gate last week, prompting Kenton Yaceyko from Fish and Wildlife to appeal to the public for help in catching the poacher.

According to the Alberta Woodland Recovery Plan, the Cold Lake area has been a historic habitat of the animal, though the population is declining, and it is illegal to kill or harass caribou at any time of year.

The animal had been shot twice with a rifle some time between the nights of Dec. 7 and Dec. 12, a small quantity of meat had been removed, and the rest of the carcass left to waste, Yaceyko explained. “Woodland caribou are identified as a threatened animal under the wildlife act and as such, there are no seasons available for hunting of this species,” Yaceyko added in an email. Killing woodland caribou can lead to a fine of up to $50,000, a prison term of one year, or both. “I am hoping to get further information evidence from anyone who has knowledge of or has seen suspicious activity in relation to the shooting of the caribou,” Yaceyko said. Anyone with information can call the Fish and Wildlife office at 780-826-3142 or the Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. Callers can remain anonymous.

#2 12-23-2011, 12:50 PM

Are First Nation hunters permitted to harvest caribou in Alberta still?

hal53 · #3 12-23-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Are First Nation hunters permitted to harvest caribou in Alberta still?

rielbowhunter · #4 12-23-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Are First Nation hunters permitted to harvest caribou in Alberta still?

#5 12-23-2011, 01:17 PM

It was an honest question...I don't know the answer. Perhaps the caribou wasn't poached at all?

hal53 · #6 12-23-2011, 01:18 PM

Thinking Sheep should have been a lawyer......LOL!!!

Ice Fishing Maniac · #7 12-23-2011, 01:19 PM

#8 12-23-2011, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Are First Nation hunters permitted to harvest caribou in Alberta still?

I have to ask what dose that have to do with a poached caribou

#9 12-23-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grind stone

I have to ask what dose that have to do with a poached caribou

If it was legally shot then it wouldn't be poached.

hal53 · #10 12-23-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grind stone

I have to ask what dose that have to do with a poached caribou

Maybe lots, probably nothing???...dunno...it was just a question......

#11 12-23-2011, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hal53

Thinking Sheep should have been a lawyer......LOL!!!

Honestly Hal, it was just a question that I don't know the answer to. It would kind of change the speculation that a poacher was at work if indeed it was a legal harvest. Does anyone know?

Loper · #12 12-23-2011, 01:25 PM

Even if they could legally kill it they could not leave most of the carcass to waste.

Lefty-Canuck · #13 12-23-2011, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Honestly Hal, it was just a question that I don't know the answer to. It would kind of change the speculation that a poacher was at work if indeed it was a legal harvest. Does anyone know?

X2...it is an honest question...it could be a blow up in the media, if it was taken "legally" then who ever took it should speak up.....

LC

#14 12-23-2011, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loper

Even if they could legally kill it they could not leave most of the carcass to waste.

Again, I don't know if that applies to First Nation hunters or not. Anyone?

conan · #15 12-23-2011, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grind stone

I have to ask what dose that have to do with a poached caribou

It has everything to do with it. Like Sheep said if it was taken by First nations then it would not be a matter of poaching just a matter of wasting which is unlawful for everyone.
Why are you guys so scared of raising any questions about our First Nation brothers?

Ryry4 · #16 12-23-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Honestly Hal, it was just a question that I don't know the answer to. It would kind of change the speculation that a poacher was at work if indeed it was a legal harvest. Does anyone know?

I believe they still can, I couldn't find anything that said the government shut down native hunting but I could be wrong.

Pudelpointer · #17 12-23-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Honestly Hal, it was just a question that I don't know the answer to. It would kind of change the speculation that a poacher was at work if indeed it was a legal harvest. Does anyone know?

Either way, at the very least the responsible party should be charged with allowing edible meat to spoil.

I believe the deer season was still open during the time window. Could be mistaken ID, could be the person knew it was a caribou and didn't care. Could be someone was completely stupid, took it home and had a buddy say WT*!!?!?!

I don't know for sure how the SARA applies to FN (though I probably should). I believe that the courts have ruled that conservation is a valid reason for restricting treaty rights. In this case we are talking about a listed species, so I say that whoever it is, they better have a lawyer.

Ryry4 · #18 12-23-2011, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loper

Even if they could legally kill it they could not leave most of the carcass to waste.

I have seen some wasted moose that would make me think otherwise.

Loper · #19 12-23-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Again, I don't know if that applies to First Nation hunters or not. Anyone?

Subsistence hunting does not include killing animals and leaving them. They would be in violation no matter if it was a moose, a deer or a caribou.

#20 12-23-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

If it was legally shot then it wouldn't be poached.

Ok sure

are you thinking first nation had something to do with it .

#21 12-23-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryry4

I believe they still can, I couldn't find anything that said the government shut down native hunting but I could be wrong.

Thanks!

#22 12-23-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grind stone

Ok sure

are you thinking first nation had something to do with it .

I have no idea, just thought it was a possibility.

Lefty-Canuck · #23 12-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conan

Why are you guys so scared of raising any questions about our First Nation brothers?

Usually a simple question about our "FN Brothers" (FN = first nations) Gets extreme views from both sides of the coin, heats up into a slur-slinging argument followed by a prompt and timely thread closing by the mods......thats why its the pink elephant around here.

It doesn't HAVE to be that way....it just IS that way.

LC

Ryry4 · #24 12-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pudelpointer

Either way, at the very least the responsible party should be charged with allowing edible meat to spoil.

I believe the deer season was still open during the time window. Could be mistaken ID, could be the person knew it was a caribou and didn't care. Could be someone was completely stupid, took it home and had a buddy say WT*!!?!?!

I don't know for sure how the SARA applies to FN (though I probably should). I believe that the courts have ruled that conservation is a valid reason for restricting treaty rights. In this case we are talking about a listed species, so I say that whoever it is, they better have a lawyer.

Your right, either way someone needs to get their hand slapped good.

If someone mistook it for a deer they need to get slapped in the face as well.

As far as it being a listed species I'm not sure it applies to FN. I say that because I know of a FN guy down south here that shot a grizzly last year and is planning on going out for another one and he's within the law, as it stands right now.

Pudelpointer · #25 12-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conan

It has everything to do with it. Like Sheep said if it was taken by First nations then it would not be a matter of poaching just a matter of wasting which is unlawful for everyone.
Why are you guys so scared of raising any questions about our First Nation brothers?

Because every thread quickly gets locked because some people can't keep their ignorant opinions to themselves while they make (sometimes) valid arguments; in other words, rational discussions quickly become irrational.

#26 12-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loper

Subsistence hunting does not include killing animals and leaving them. They would be in violation no matter if it was a moose, a deer or a caribou.

Are you certain of that?

Ryry4 · #27 12-23-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loper

Subsistence hunting does not include killing animals and leaving them. They would be in violation no matter if it was a moose, a deer or a caribou.

Your right, but it does happen.

sakogreywolf · #28 12-23-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loper

Even if they could legally kill it they could not leave most of the carcass to waste.

You beat me to it.

#29 12-23-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pudelpointer

Because every thread quickly gets locked because some people can't keep their ignorant opinions to themselves while they make (sometimes) valid arguments; in other words, rational discussions quickly become irrational.

Sadly you are right and that was most certainly not my intent. It's just sometimes te media blows things way out of proportion when there is a logical explanation. I was just wondering if that was the case here. No need for this to turn ugly but sadly, it likely will.

echo · #30 12-23-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheephunter

Again, I don't know if that applies to First Nation hunters or not. Anyone?

yes they are... they still hunt them in the conklin area.