[Carson13]

Recently, a friend of mine was out fishing on a trout lake in Alberta with a zero catch limit. There was ONLY ONE other group on the lake, my friend walked over to ask how they were doing and realized they had a fish in the box of the truck. They bragged about it and even identified they knew it was illegal!Having bad cell service on the lake, my friend messaged me, to call RAP about the poachers.

After speaking with the receptionist and a short wait for F&W to call me back, I was informed that the closest officer was 2 hours away but was en-route.

When the Conservation Officer showed up to the lake his lights were blasting. He headed straight to the Poachers and looked in the back of the truck where the illegal fish was kept. After seeing the group packing up and leaving, my friend thought justice was served.

The officer stopped by a short while later to break the news - a $200 Ticket and a seized fish ! Didn’t even force them off the lake and could have continued to fish, the officer says! - (BS IMO). Also, had a warning for my friend that they knew he called RAP, and to watch his back fishing the rest of the day. My friend asked what violation it would take for them to be escorted off the lake, the CO stated “10 bulltrout on the ice”. (Now I understand small communities and the local poachers most likely knowing the officer, but at what point is it time to lay a serious fine?) The Officer then explained he felt the ticket taught him the lesson he needed. My friend after the officer left, immediately packed up and headed home from a 3 day trip - on day 1. He was concerned the poachers may return looking for revenge.

F&W called me a couple days later to inform me they had caught the poachers. I expressed my concern about the low fine and they were brushed off!

A couple days ago my friend received a cheque from RAP, as is their process. We were thinking it would be a small percentage of the fine, but it was $400! Twice the amount of the initial fine! Not to mention the officers 2 hour drive to lay the fine.

A disappointing realization that it costs the taxpayer more to catch a poacher than to just stock another fish!

Where’s the logic in this?

Carson