Philip Cahoon, Outfitter from Sherwood Park Convicted and Sentenced in Ponoka Courtroom
I attended the Ponoka Courthouse on October 11, 2019 to observe the joint submission by the Crown Prosecutor and the Defence in the Case of Philip Mitchell Cahoon and Mud Lake Waterfowl Adventures. This was the seventh trip I had made to observe this case.
There were 28 charges listed on the docket. When the case began to get heard there was some preamble from Cahoon's Lawyer, some of the charges were dropped including all the charges related to the company Mud Lake Waterfowl Adventures. The Crown Prosecutor read the circumstances which were a page and a half long. I will highlight some of the ones I could get written down as she was rattling through them quite fast. -multiple wastage charges. I will give only two examples from many read out including geese. 64 ducks shot and only 8 retrieved, the rest left floating in the water 58 ducks shot and 25 left floating in the water -multiple hunting guiding non resident hunters without landowner permission and telling landowners he was not guiding but just hunting with some friends. -multiple over limit -shooting at game through an open window in his truck -exporting furs to the USA with no CITES Permit Honestly there was so much content to the circumstances read out I could only write down so much. I am in the process of getting a complete copy of this document. The above is just a snippet of what was read out. The Judge indicated his disgust and the Public's disgust for this type of behavior. The Judge asked if Cahoon had anything to say and his reply was a curt "no". The sentence as jointly proposed by the Crown Prosecutor and Defence was a ten year ban from Guiding and Outfitting in the Province of Alberta, a two year ban on recreational hunting in the Province of Alberta, a $25,000.00 fine which Cahoon asked for a years time to pay and was granted. There were also some firearms transportation restrictions regarding his personal firearms. Most items seized were forfeited to the Crown with the exception of his cell phone which the Judge ordered the RCMP to return to him. I toned this down quite a bit and hope this thread does not get locked down. If anyone wishes to obtain documents relating to this case or any other the best phone number is 1-855-738-4747. They will either help you directly or steer you to someone that can. Waiting time can be long and they ask a few personal questions. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THE INVESTIGATION FISH AND WILDLIFE EXECUTED ON THIS CASE WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS OF CAHOON'S ACTIVITY !! jIM |
Thanks for posting the specifics of the fines, suspensions and the like. Given the investigation only covered a very short period of time you can bet dollars to donuts there is a whole bunch more of this kind of nonsense that went on. There really needs to be far tighter control of the guides under APOS. If APOS won't do it, and they certainly aren't doing it now, then they need to be disbanded and the control put back into Fish and Game. I wonder if Jason Nixon would consider properly regulating guides given the recent spate of serious charges and convictions.
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Thanks for that info Jim. Would you happen to know the docket number of this case? I would like to read the full transcript once it becomes available.
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Thanks for posting this Jim and I agree with Dean. I can't believe that all charges were dropped against his outfitting company(that he has now sold)and that he was given a year to pay the 25K fine! I think all profits and gear from the sale of the outfitting business should have went back to cover the F&W investigation, court costs and put back into Alberta wildlife/habitat that he was more than likely destroying long before he was caught.....
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The costs to bring up witnesses from the USA and the cost of a trial with this many charges (this was brought in the submission) would pale in comparrison to the Pickton murder case (not kidding). Unfortunate for sure but that's where this system is at which in my opinion isn't acceptable. Jim |
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BW |
That is wild i think he got off way to easy.
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323 Legislature Building 10800-97 Avenue NW Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2B6 780-427-2391 I have had the pleasure of meeting Jason a few times. He is a VERY approachable guy and will in my opinion turn out to be the best Environment and Parks Minister Alberta has ever had. I will post the results of our meeting. Jim |
Thank you for letting us know the facts of the matter.
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Jim |
I have no idea what kind of things went on during his hunts, but he posted on several US-based waterfowl hunting pages absolutely incessantly advertising his guide service. So, so obnoxious. Lots of videos of ****ty hunting too. Terrible calling, terrible hides, bad shooting... yikes. Guy always seemed like a complete tool. Not at all surprised by this.
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Seems Nube (Phil) had many fooled on here... including myself.
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I'll be drafting a letter to Jason this week. BW |
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This is the old link if it helps anyone. https://www.justice.alberta.ca/progr...T.svl=programs Edit, the new link can be found here: https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/abpc/ I expect it to be updated in a few days. |
Only a 2 year ban on hunting? Stupid. Should be longer.
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Was present at the courthouse 7 times. Lol Jimmy.
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Im not saying Phil will re-offend but it seems to me anyone in his position could easily become a re-offender in the future without the proper supervision. |
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This exactly. No amount of money stops guys like this. He will carry on and keep doing it. |
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How many Alberta outfitters in the past 8-10 years have been charged with wildlife offenses? This clown is the current APOS outfitter to be convicted, but he won't be the last. Not all outfitters are poachers, but I am sure that most of them will bend the rules, or do what they have to, to meet their clients expectations, and if it means breaking a rule here or there to do so, they do it without batting an eye. Alberta Outdoorsmen those of us who hunt and fish, should band together and put a class action lawsuit against APOS for allowing this to happen. For not policing their members, for not disavowing these crimes against our wildlife and fish. With APOS keeping quiet on this and past outfitter convictions screams they are condoning what goes on. BW |
The punishments should be more severe than a slap on the wrist or just "the cost of doing business".
Sick of seeing the same names over and over. I'd bet my next paycheck this won't be the last we hear of him. |
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Maybe they should take the outfitters home, his vehicles etc. But our courts also need to take a harsher stand on all criminal activities in this country. My understanding is the APOS is supposed to be the body in our province that prevents this. It seems more and more they condone it and may even encourage it. BW |
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