4 elk illegally shot and killed

[play.soccer]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...sion-1.4432517

Four elk have been illegally shot and killed on private property without permission.

The bodies of the animals were abandoned, while a fifth elk was wounded and left alive.

The incident occurred Sunday evening north of Hudson's Hope, in northeast British Columbia, said acting Sgt. Brad Lacey of the Peace Region Conservation Officer Service.

A property owner in the area heard "a number of shots being discharged" at around 5:30 p.m. MST and went out to investigate, Lacey said.

The owner found a group of men shooting at the animals from the road and confronted them, at which point they got into their vehicles and left.

A limited-entry hunt for elk is currently occurring in the region, but Lacey said it's not known if the men were licensed.

Investigation underway

Even if they were, he said, their methodology was illegal.

"Evidence at the scene would indicated that the hunt occurred on a maintained roadway, which isn't allowed," Lacey explained.

Additionally, the elk were on privately-owned land, and the owner did not give permission for the men to hunt there.

Elk in the region, which belong to the subspecies Rocky Mountain elk, are not considered at risk, but Lacey said it is still problematic for them to be killed without permission.

"There's a public safety concern for any firearms being discharged on a maintained roadway," he said.

Lacey said the dead elk will be maintained for evidence and then, "if the carcasses remain suitable for human consumption, they'll be utilized by a local food bank."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the service at 1-877-952-7277.

Disgusting.

[Hooter]

At 5:30pm wouldn’t it have been past legal light as well???

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Hooter

At 5:30pm wouldn’t it have been past legal light as well???

The legal hunting hours in B.C. are not the same as in Alberta.

[Albertadiver]

Too bad they weren't able to get a plate #

(insert appropriate word of disgust) Poachers!!

[IR_mike]

Happens more then you think.

Sickening.

[DuckBrat]

Happens everyday of rifle season throughout our province.

[300magman]

Originally Posted by DuckBrat

Happens everyday of rifle season throughout our province.

Lol, ain’t that the truth.

[ganderblaster]

Why is this posted in the hunting discussion section of AO? This post has nothing to do with hunting .

[sharpstick]

Agree ganderblaster. There should be a separate section titled POACHING.
These stories have no place in the HUNTING section!

[Big Thumper]

Could be the only laws broken were shooting from the road and trespass.

[grouse_hunter]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Could be the only laws broken were shooting from the road and trespass.

That's my guess. More information is needed before I pass judgement.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Could be the only laws broken were shooting from the road and trespass.

So charge the shooters with those offenses if they find them.

[Big Thumper]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

So charge the shooters with those offenses if they find them.

Yes, I agree. Just making the point that its hard to determine what laws might have been broken as long as we have different laws based on race and heredity for different people.

[ShortsideK]

Originally Posted by ganderblaster

Why is this posted in the hunting discussion section of AO? This post has nothing to do with hunting .

Can't keep your head in the sand forever.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Yes, I agree. Just making the point that its hard to determine what laws might have been broken as long as we have different laws based on race and heredity for different people.

You are assuming that the shooters were natives?
I didn't read that there was evidence that the shooters were natives .

I know of several instances in the past where white people did the very same thing .
Poachers and idjits cone in all creed and colors!
Cat

[Positrac]

If I had my guess I’d say the shooters were not native. A co-worker and friend of mine is native. Although he doesn’t hunt, we did discuss this story from Hudson Hope as he is from the coast.

I would have to agree with his take on the matters that if it was natives hunting after legal shooting light or on private land they more than likely would not have left without taking the meat first.

Sounds more like your garden variety poachers...

[Big Thumper]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

You are assuming that the shooters were natives?
I didn't read that there was evidence that the shooters were natives .

I know of several instances in the past where white people did the very same thing .
Poachers and idjits cone in all creed and colors!
Cat

I didn't assume anything. I made the point that with different laws for different people, we have no idea what laws may have or may not have been broken in this case with the limited information provided.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

I didn't assume anything. I made the point that with different laws for different people, we have no idea what laws may have or may not have been broken in this case with the limited information provided.

Thanks for the clarification
Cat