Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-12-2018, 08:43 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,842
Default Another Poacher Convicted

Convicted and fined $36000.

https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news...-act-offences/

Quote:
A guide-outfitter was fined $36,000 for hunting out of season and without a licence in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday.

Richard “Todd” Bunnage, and his now-defunct Cardston-based company Rugged Outfitting, were convicted last month of eight Wildlife Act charges for incidents during guided hunts in the West Country in 2015.

Judge Bert Skinner also banned Bunnage from acting as a guide-outfitter for five years.

The judge said in sentencing that “by not getting the proper licences (Bunnage) was a very poor ambassador for Canada and Alberta.”

Bunnage was guiding U.S. clients when the offences occurred. If word gets out that hiring guide-outfitters could lead to legal issues “this may put this entire industry in jeopardy,” said Skinner.

“So, it’s very important the rules are followed.”

Crown prosecutor Martha O’Connor was seeking $50,000 in fines and a 15-year guide-outfitting prohibition, pointing out Bunnage was already banned from personal recreational hunting for five years after Wildlife Act convictions in 2014.

O’Connor said Bunnage’s actions had the “potential to impact the success of other hunters” and could hurt the reputation of the whole guide-outfitter business.

Defence lawyer Richard Fritze called for smaller fines, arguing Bunnage was not involved in the kind of “blatant and abusive” behaviour that led to large fines and even a prison term in other cases.

There is a “world of difference” in Bunnage’s case, he said.”It’s not like he was gaming the system …”

Fritze also argued that there is a grey area in the province’s hunting licence system because it allows hunters to unknowingly buy invalid licences, adding the facts of the case don’t call for a “sledgehammer approach” in punishment.

Bunnage also addressed the judge, saying he did not realize the hunting licences he had were not considered valid.

“I was not playing the system in any way, shape or form,” said Bunnage.

As part of the decision, the judge ordered that a pair of moose heads and hides taken in the illegal hunts be forfeited. Another head and hide were to be returned to the hunter because it was not connected to a conviction.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-12-2018, 09:26 PM
burbotman's Avatar
burbotman burbotman is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Sibbald Flats
Posts: 1,086
Default

So much wrong with this!
Where to start
Banned from personal hunting due to wildlife convictions in 2014????????
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-12-2018, 09:36 PM
Au revoir, Gopher's Avatar
Au revoir, Gopher Au revoir, Gopher is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Westerose
Posts: 4,031
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by burbotman View Post
So much wrong with this!
Where to start
Banned from personal hunting due to wildlife convictions in 2014????????
just imagine someone with their license suspended for driving under the influence who gets to keep driving his taxi, rig, or school bus... yah, that would be OK

ARG
__________________
In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher'.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sjemac View Post
It has been scientifically proven that a 308 round will not leave your property -- they essentially fall dead at the fence line. But a 38 round, when fired from a handgun, will of its own accord leave your property and destroy any small schools nearby.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-12-2018, 10:01 PM
Talking moose's Avatar
Talking moose Talking moose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: McBride/Prince George
Posts: 14,521
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher View Post
just imagine someone with their license suspended for driving under the influence who gets to keep driving his taxi, rig, or school bus... yah, that would be OK

ARG
Like in the 80’s when there would be tractors at the small town bars because they couldn’t get impaireds because it was their livelihood?(or something like that)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-12-2018, 10:04 PM
Au revoir, Gopher's Avatar
Au revoir, Gopher Au revoir, Gopher is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Westerose
Posts: 4,031
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Talking moose View Post
Like in the 80’s when there would be tractors at the small town bars because they couldn’t get impaireds because it was their livelihood?(or something like that)
I always thought it was because you didn't need a license to operate a tractor, kind of like riding a bicycle under the influence (I always figured that one was self correcting )

ARG
__________________
In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher'.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sjemac View Post
It has been scientifically proven that a 308 round will not leave your property -- they essentially fall dead at the fence line. But a 38 round, when fired from a handgun, will of its own accord leave your property and destroy any small schools nearby.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-12-2018, 10:06 PM
Talking moose's Avatar
Talking moose Talking moose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: McBride/Prince George
Posts: 14,521
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher View Post
I always thought it was because you didn't need a license to operate a tractor, kind of like riding a bicycle under the influence (I always figured that one was self correcting )

ARG
Maybe your right. I just remember something or other about tractors at bars...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-12-2018, 10:15 PM
HalfBreed's Avatar
HalfBreed HalfBreed is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Parkland
Posts: 1,659
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher View Post
I always thought it was because you didn't need a license to operate a tractor, kind of like riding a bicycle under the influence (I always figured that one was self correcting )

ARG
Not a lie. I was detained for cycling while on the beers. I was allowed to walk my bike as long as I did not mount it. This was in Edmonton aboot '07.

I walked my bike home and haven't rode on beers since.

I expect rules will become much more stringent as of mid Oct.
__________________
I take everything with a grain of pepper, I'm just different that way.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-12-2018, 10:25 PM
Desert Eagle Desert Eagle is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: GP
Posts: 947
Default

Actually it is possible to get an impaired on a bicycle. Happened to a guy in my home town in the mid 90's.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-13-2018, 02:42 AM
32-40win 32-40win is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Near Drumheller
Posts: 6,733
Default

This guy had quite the statement today on FB in the Alberta Hunting Addicts group. Not sure I have interpreted this right, but, the gist of it was that he bought allocations for his clients for archery season, and then took these clients out in open season, bowhunting, but the tags were only good for archery season. And he said he had been doing it for 15yrs. It sounded like he was taking out clients who had bought general tags, after archery season, under his allocation, when the tags his clients had bought, weren't valid where he was hunting. He basically said everyone who had commented on his case could stick it. He was not at all nice about it. Accused the gov't witness of changing the rules on the witness stand. He really didn't think he'd done anything wrong.
__________________
You should also be a member;
CCFR
CSSA
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:18 AM
C-Lublinkhof's Avatar
C-Lublinkhof C-Lublinkhof is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Rocky
Posts: 101
Default

Todd Bunnage
Thank you for tagging me as if to say I didn’t know? I have refrained from commenting on this when it was first posted as I watched lots of people say what a piece of **** I am and even made lots of guesses as to the real issue. As I have not seen any hunting addicts in Court you are all are arm chair quarter backs.
What this boils down to is that I purchased archery tags for my archery hunters. I have extensions to other hunters into different WMUs all of my hunters purchased their licenses from Caroline supplies and went hunting into the WMUs they were assigned too. I have done this for 17 years. I have been pulled over and checked by FW numerous times never once have they raised a question about my hunters licenses.
I lodged a formal complaint about an officer 6 years ago and my life has since been under attack.
With this case I purchased my licenses and hunted my hunters without any problems. Two years after my hunters went home I was charged with using invalid licenses. They said my archery licenses could not carry over into the open season. No where on the licenses or the regulations does it say that. The licenses have ARCHERY ONLY on them NO DATES No mention of season.
My hunters always used archery equipment and the government sold my hunters their licenses after they said the season was closed. The government took there money sent them out the door and even FW checked us in the field and never raised a question. So this was not a poaching without a license story. The government sold every hunter a license.
I know I am going to hear all you critics say what a piece of **** I am and that’s fine.
All you Guides and outfitters who use archery bear tags in the rifle season good luck now because the government testified there is NO exception AT ALL. The archery tags of every species expire at the end of the archery season no matter what. I guess FW needs more revenue and your all next.
You residents that can hunt in any WMU with bow and then rifle it’s great you will be able to continue.
The Nonresident licenses are different. I was found guilty of 3 hunters and my company was found equally guilty. Even though the government sold my hunters the tags after they say the season was closed.
The truth of the trial was Rugged was charged with me they charged double sections for each. Sec 24 and 25 for me and my company each that’s how it works I was not convicted of 8 separate hunter violations it was three hunters with two sections for the same incident.
This does not reflect anything negative about APOS they had nothing to do with this. It does not have anything to do with lack of discipline by APOS.
This was 100% on me. I firmly believed if the government sells a tag it’s valid.
So go a head and call me all the names you want tell me what a piece of **** I am and what all outfitters are but reality is if FW has you in there sights they will find something to charge you with. I noticed there was No mention in the article I was acquitted of 25 charges? Why..... were any you of you there?
I will go pop some popcorn and watch all your disdain and hatred.
This is not over and if I was an outfitter I would be very careful buying anything from our government. All you guys running archery bear hunters in the rifle season your next. Government testified your running illegal hunts. Good luck.


This was his post on Alberta Hunting Addicts. Doesn't seem to understand it still. I thought the general tag only being valid for Bow season was pretty clear in the Regs.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:24 AM
270person 270person is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,496
Default

What does a person have to do, and how often, before they just get permanently barred from hunting..period?

This idiot obviously has no respect for wildlife or the rules and never will so take away his firearm ownership and hunting privileges permanently.

Do this a few times and maybe some of these so called "guides" will think twice.
__________________
You matter. Unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light squared... ...then you energy.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-13-2018, 06:29 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,842
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 270person View Post
What does a person have to do, and how often, before they just get permanently barred from hunting..period?

This idiot obviously has no respect for wildlife or the rules and never will so take away his firearm ownership and hunting privileges permanently.

Do this a few times and maybe some of these so called "guides" will think twice.
One outfitter with the initials LM has been convicted many times, for Wildlife Act violations, criminal acts, and trafficking in Wildlife, and he is still a member of APOS, and is still involved in outfitting. Neither our government or APOS will take action to stop him. Amazingly enough, foreign hunters still book with his outfit, despite his record.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-13-2018, 07:29 AM
Don_Parsons Don_Parsons is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,827
Default

Now I'm confused

So I'm not suppose to use my bow in general hunting season. Strange indeed.

I start in Archey season and normally care it over into the general season. Lots of us have been using bows in that season.

Did I miss something in the regulations
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-13-2018, 07:57 AM
Talking moose's Avatar
Talking moose Talking moose is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: McBride/Prince George
Posts: 14,521
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don_Parsons View Post
Now I'm confused

So I'm not suppose to use my bow in general hunting season. Strange indeed.

I start in Archey season and normally care it over into the general season. Lots of us have been using bows in that season.

Did I miss something in the regulations
You can use bow in general season but under general tags. You can’t carry over your archery tags into General season
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-13-2018, 08:49 AM
pikeslayer22 pikeslayer22 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,702
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C-Lublinkhof View Post
Todd Bunnage
Thank you for tagging me as if to say I didn’t know? I have refrained from commenting on this when it was first posted as I watched lots of people say what a piece of **** I am and even made lots of guesses as to the real issue. As I have not seen any hunting addicts in Court you are all are arm chair quarter backs.
What this boils down to is that I purchased archery tags for my archery hunters. I have extensions to other hunters into different WMUs all of my hunters purchased their licenses from Caroline supplies and went hunting into the WMUs they were assigned too. I have done this for 17 years. I have been pulled over and checked by FW numerous times never once have they raised a question about my hunters licenses.
I lodged a formal complaint about an officer 6 years ago and my life has since been under attack.
With this case I purchased my licenses and hunted my hunters without any problems. Two years after my hunters went home I was charged with using invalid licenses. They said my archery licenses could not carry over into the open season. No where on the licenses or the regulations does it say that. The licenses have ARCHERY ONLY on them NO DATES No mention of season.
My hunters always used archery equipment and the government sold my hunters their licenses after they said the season was closed. The government took there money sent them out the door and even FW checked us in the field and never raised a question. So this was not a poaching without a license story. The government sold every hunter a license.
I know I am going to hear all you critics say what a piece of **** I am and that’s fine.
All you Guides and outfitters who use archery bear tags in the rifle season good luck now because the government testified there is NO exception AT ALL. The archery tags of every species expire at the end of the archery season no matter what. I guess FW needs more revenue and your all next.
You residents that can hunt in any WMU with bow and then rifle it’s great you will be able to continue.
The Nonresident licenses are different. I was found guilty of 3 hunters and my company was found equally guilty. Even though the government sold my hunters the tags after they say the season was closed.
The truth of the trial was Rugged was charged with me they charged double sections for each. Sec 24 and 25 for me and my company each that’s how it works I was not convicted of 8 separate hunter violations it was three hunters with two sections for the same incident.
This does not reflect anything negative about APOS they had nothing to do with this. It does not have anything to do with lack of discipline by APOS.
This was 100% on me. I firmly believed if the government sells a tag it’s valid.
So go a head and call me all the names you want tell me what a piece of **** I am and what all outfitters are but reality is if FW has you in there sights they will find something to charge you with. I noticed there was No mention in the article I was acquitted of 25 charges? Why..... were any you of you there?
I will go pop some popcorn and watch all your disdain and hatred.
This is not over and if I was an outfitter I would be very careful buying anything from our government. All you guys running archery bear hunters in the rifle season your next. Government testified your running illegal hunts. Good luck.


This was his post on Alberta Hunting Addicts. Doesn't seem to understand it still. I thought the general tag only being valid for Bow season was pretty clear in the Regs.
The guy is either amazingly dumb or is a flat out liar. It is very clear in the regs. Just like the youth mule deer...every year guys have their kids out rifle shooting in November in draw only zones.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-13-2018, 09:16 AM
walking buffalo's Avatar
walking buffalo walking buffalo is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,208
Default

There is some truth to this outfitter's comments.

For Outfitter allocations, Archery licences can be used in the general season with authorization from F&W.


This is an issue that some have wanted to see changed.


In the past, I suspect the paperwork was not done nor demanded with no enforcement. Today for this Outfitter and the rest, this rule might be enforced.


No job is done until....
__________________
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Outdoor Recreation Policy -

"to identify very rare, scarce or special forms of fish and wildlife outdoor recreation opportunities and to ensure that access to these opportunities continues to be available to all Albertans."
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 07-13-2018, 09:24 AM
Don_Parsons Don_Parsons is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,827
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Talking moose View Post
You can use bow in general season but under general tags. You can’t carry over your archery tags into General season
Thank you

That's what I thought, yes,,, general rules apply once that part of the season kicks in, some times the regs send me for a loop.

Pretty keen at trying to stay up to date
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 07-13-2018, 09:27 AM
gloszz gloszz is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 901
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Au revoir, Gopher View Post
I always thought it was because you didn't need a license to operate a tractor, kind of like riding a bicycle under the influence (I always figured that one was self correcting )

ARG
You can get an impaired operation of a vehicle in Poland for riding a bike drunk. I think horseback is the only way you can't since you just get on and the horse is self driving haha. I've seen it happen many times out in the country.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 07-13-2018, 09:59 AM
koothunter koothunter is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 154
Default

He now owns and runs a territory in BC. There needs to be better communication between provinces and/or background checks for potential guides/owners of territories.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 07-13-2018, 10:27 AM
ATF ATF is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 678
Default

So am I understanding this correctly?
His hunters were sold archery season tags after the season was closed?
How does that even happen?
Shouldn't the sale of those tags end after the season is closed?
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 07-13-2018, 10:44 AM
Bushrat's Avatar
Bushrat Bushrat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 6,898
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gloszz View Post
You can get an impaired operation of a vehicle in Poland for riding a bike drunk. I think horseback is the only way you can't since you just get on and the horse is self driving haha. I've seen it happen many times out in the country.
Myth. You can get an impaired on a horse, if you are riding it on a highway or road. You are directing the horse to go there and supposedly in care and control of it even if you passed out in the saddle and the horse is wandering around or taking you home on a road. No different than a bicycle, lawn tractor, farm tractor, if your in care and control of any mode of transportation and blow over the limit on a legal roadway you can get tagged with an impaired. Most officers will just tell you to get off the road and go home unless your doing something stupid.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 07-13-2018, 11:02 AM
Bushrat's Avatar
Bushrat Bushrat is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 6,898
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ATF View Post
So am I understanding this correctly?
His hunters were sold archery season tags after the season was closed?
How does that even happen?
Shouldn't the sale of those tags end after the season is closed?
It's not up to the person selling the tags, it's up to the person buying them to know. Many clerks and vendors selling licences know nothing about the regulations, Clerks are not walking encyclopedias when it comes to regulations. Its pretty hard to believe an outfitter who is and has been in that business for that many years doesn't know the rules of their own business. Somebody's grasping at straws. I can go into Canadian tire after deer season is closed and buy a deer tag, doesn't make it legal for me to go hunt or shoot one though.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 07-13-2018, 12:19 PM
ATF ATF is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 678
Default

Meh. It's a Government run software system that the vendors use which I guess no one could find a way to put something into the code that says after the season ends they can no longer punch in the sale.
Not saying the person buying them doesn't need to know but there should still be no way to sell them after the season is closed.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 07-13-2018, 01:20 PM
caljouw2003's Avatar
caljouw2003 caljouw2003 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: red deer
Posts: 98
Default

I don't think there is anything wrong with the system. There are some zones open for archery only (moose) right up until November 30th (212, 248, 410). So yes you can buy moose (archery) tags in Alberta up to November 30th, but is up to the hunter to know where they are able to use them. After reading that post from the other forum this guy is just flat out lying, or is actually ignorant to the regulations. Having said that does anyone know what zone this took place in and what the date was?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 07-13-2018, 02:01 PM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 44,842
Default

Anyone that makes a living from outfitting should make the effort to learn the system.
__________________
Only accurate guns are interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 07-13-2018, 03:11 PM
PFKGSP PFKGSP is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 229
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ATF View Post
Meh. It's a Government run software system that the vendors use which I guess no one could find a way to put something into the code that says after the season ends they can no longer punch in the sale.
Not saying the person buying them doesn't need to know but there should still be no way to sell them after the season is closed.
I would agree.

I just tried to buy some classified water licences for BC. It can tell me that no more are available for those dates but if you want these dates we have some? Shouldn't be that hard for the system to tell you season's over. License can't be sold. It's not like we are using paper tags from a book.

That being said, still up to him as the business owner to know the law. That's how that system works.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:08 PM
Twisted Canuck's Avatar
Twisted Canuck Twisted Canuck is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: GP AB
Posts: 16,211
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pikeslayer22 View Post
The guy is either amazingly dumb or is a flat out liar. It is very clear in the regs. Just like the youth mule deer...every year guys have their kids out rifle shooting in November in draw only zones.
I went to school with Todd....my experience is that both apply. He was never the sharpest....
__________________
'Once the monkeys learn they can vote themselves a banana, they'll never climb another tree.'. Robert Heinlein

'You can accomplish a lot more with a kind word and a gun, than with a kind word alone.' Al Capone
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:09 PM
sage 13 sage 13 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 939
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by koothunter View Post
He now owns and runs a territory in BC. There needs to be better communication between provinces and/or background checks for potential guides/owners of territories.
Were is his area in B.C.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:26 PM
huntinstuff's Avatar
huntinstuff huntinstuff is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 9,586
Default

So much fail in one thread

From archery tags to getting “an impaired on a horse or bike or tractor”

Absolutely cannot stand those “wives tales”

If some men were real men, those wives wouldn’t have time to make up tales......🤢🤮
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 07-13-2018, 04:32 PM
1899b's Avatar
1899b 1899b is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sherwood Park Ab
Posts: 6,279
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by huntinstuff View Post
so much fail in one thread

from archery tags to getting “an impaired on a horse or bike or tractor”

absolutely cannot stand those “wives tales”

if some men were real men, those wives wouldn’t have time to make up tales......🤢🤮

lol!!!
__________________
An awful lot of big game was killed with the .30-06 including the big bears before everyone became affluent enough to own a rifle for every species of game they might hunt.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.