The East Kootenay Conservation Officer Service (COS) is asking those responsible to come forward after a string of incidents over the past several weeks, including an illegally killed grizzly bear and illegally shot elk.
Patricia Burley, Conservation Officer for Fernie and the Elk Valley, explained that the COS received a report of a shot and left grizzly bear north of Elkford on the morning of September 30, 2021.
sa国际传媒淎 CO attended and found the grizzly bear 70 yards off the Elk River Forest Service Road (FSR) at 137.5 kilometres on the east side of the road in a cut block,sa国际传媒� Burley said in an email to the Townsman. sa国际传媒淭he grizzly bear was a single sow that had a gun shot wound to its head. There is no open hunting season for grizzly bears in B.C.sa国际传媒�
This is a violation of the BC Wildlife Act (WLA) under section 26(1)(c) - sa国际传媒榢ill wildlife not within open seasonsa国际传媒�.
She adds that no one self reported having to kill the bear for protection, which is a requirement under WLA section 75(2) - sa国际传媒榝ail to report killing of game by accident or for protectionsa国际传媒�.
sa国际传媒淭he COS is looking for anyone with information regarding the unlawful killing of this grizzly bear which most likely occurred on September 29, 2021,sa国际传媒� said Burley.
This is one of the worst seasons for five point elk being killed during a six point only season, Burley said.
sa国际传媒淎side from the self reported files the COS receives from the public, there are ones that are left to waste in the bush which are not reported by the hunters,sa国际传媒� Burley explained. sa国际传媒淥n October 13, 2021, two five point bull elk were found and reported to the COS by a concerned hunter. The two bull elk were close to each other, 200 yards off the Round Prairie FSR in a cut block northeast of Elkford at the 129 kilometre mark. No meat was taken from the animals.sa国际传媒�
The COS believes that these two elk were shot and left, unlawfully, on the morning of October 12, 2021. It is a violation under three sections of the WLA.
sa国际传媒淭his is a violation under WLA 26(1)(c) - sa国际传媒榢ill wildlife out of seasonsa国际传媒�, 75(2) - sa国际传媒榝ail to report killing of game by accidentsa国际传媒� and 35(2)(a) - sa国际传媒榝ail to retrieve wildlifesa国际传媒�,sa国际传媒� Burley adds. sa国际传媒淭he COS is looking to speak with the individuals involved in the killing of these elk. It is recommended that they come forward to the COsa国际传媒檚, as they have received a number of complaints regarding this file.sa国际传媒�
At the end of September, the East Kootenay COS reported seven illegal animals being harvested within the first ten days of the hunting season. These were self-reported.
People are reminded to review the regulations, including online in-season changes or corrections. People must also be familiar with the specific regulations for the region and management unit that they are hunting in. The covers what to do with an illegal harvest, and how to comply with the legal obligations.
Violations can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) Hotline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-877-952-7277.
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corey.bullock@cranbrooktownsman.com
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