Cougar shot and left near Cochrane has Fish and Wildlife looking for poacher

[Thomas D'Arcy McGee]

Fish and Wildlife say the cougar was a juvenile that weighed less than 50 kilograms. (Alberta Fish and Wildlife)

Cougar shot and left near Cochrane has Fish and Wildlife looking for poacher

It's illegal in Alberta to abandon the skin of a mountain lion that has been hunted

CBC News · Posted: Mar 03, 2018 3:53 PM MT | Last Updated: March 3


Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are on the hunt for a poacher after a cougar was shot and its remains left in an area west of Cochrane, Alta., last month.

Wildlife officials say the animal — a juvenile that weighed around 45 kilograms — was killed the afternoon of Feb. 21 just south of Ghost River.

The poacher left a pair of green and brown work gloves. Fish and Wildlife officials say a campfire was also left burning in the area.

The poacher left behind a burning campfire and a pair of green and brown work gloves. (Alberta Fish and Wildlife)

Cougar season was closed at the time the animal was killed. It's also illegal in Alberta to abandon the skin of a mountain lion that has been hunted.

"Poaching is obviously illegal and dangerous, and it takes away wildlife that would otherwise remain part of the province's environment," said Fish and Wildlife officer Mark Hoskin in a statement.

If identified, the poacher could face a fine of $50,000 or one year in jail.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or file a report online.

 

[M16LR.50]

Odd circumstances... I am wondering if the cougar attacked the person (or they were concerned that it might) and they shot it and then fled...

 

[Thomas D'Arcy McGee]

Odd circumstances... I am wondering if the cougar attacked the person (or they were concerned that it might) and they shot it and then fled...

Yes, that sounds like a possibility. Why would a poacher leave the cougar without harvesting it? Does not make sense!

 

[the spank]

Maybe somebody else approached the area and they fled to avoid being caught? Campfire smoke may have drawn the interest of someone who decided to check out the source of the fire?

 

[skokie]

Yes, that sounds like a possibility. Why would a poacher leave the cougar without harvesting it? Does not make sense!

It would be interesting to know how many times it was shot, as well as if it was shot with a shotgun or a large caliber lever gun cartridge. Those are what most people use as a bush carry gun after all and not as likely to be what a poacher would use as they would damage the hide too much I would think.

 

[heliace]

I would buy the fellow a new pair of gloves.

 

[gerard]

That cat would make one beautiful mount.
But there's no need to shoot it out of season unless your life is in danger.

 

[hawk-i]

It's a dangerous predator. ..could be lots of reasons it was shot and left! Children. ...overly aggressive. ...no fear of people?

 

[Scotty454]

It's a dangerous predator. ..could be lots of reasons it was shot and left! Children. ...overly aggressive. ...no fear of people?

If that was the case, can you think of a reason to not report it?

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

If that was the case, can you think of a reason to not report it?

Yes. Unwanted hassle with the CO's. Very seldom does any "good deed" go unpunished.
I do not condone poaching for an instant, but at this point all that really is known is someone killed a cat and that the article is suggesting poaching. It well may be a bonafide case of poaching, we really don't know. I find it odd that there is more concern for the cat than the person missing some gloves.
I think we will see more and more of rural Alberta not bothering to call LE for anything, it is simply more hassle than it is worth and in many cases opens doors that should never be opened.

 

[hawk-i]

yes. Unwanted hassle with the co's. Very seldom does any "good deed" go unpunished.
I do not condone poaching for an instant, but at this point all that really is known is someone killed a cat and that the article is suggesting poaching. It well may be a bonafide case of poaching, we really don't know. I find it odd that there is more concern for the cat than the person missing some gloves.
I think we will see more and more of rural alberta not bothering to call le for anything, it is simply more hassle than it is worth and in many cases opens doors that should never be opened.

^^^ this exactly! !!!

 

[Dogleg]

If that was the case, can you think of a reason to not report it?

Yeah, to avoid being crucified.

 

[Slamfire]

$50,000 fine or 1 year jail sentence. Or both. Sounds like that's the maximum penalty for any Wildlife Act offence in Alberta? If so then it's at the Crown's discretion to administer a fine and/or sentencing penalty up to and including that. Penalties for Wildlife Regulation offences probably follow a different schedule. Also includes forfeiture of equipment used in the offence as well as suspensions from holding a recreational hunting license.

Cougar season is specified as Dec 1 to Feb 28. But contravenes Section 24(1) [no license] and Section 41(2) [hide abandonment] of the Alberta Wildlife Act.

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/acts/w10.pdf

http://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/1997_143.pdf

Penalties

92(1) A person who is convicted of
(a) an offence specified in subsection (3), or
(b) any offence involving a contravention of this Act where
(i) that person is a corporation, or
(ii) that person has previously been convicted of any
offence involving a contravention of this Act and the
offences for which the current conviction and a
previous conviction were imposed occurred not more
than 5 years apart,
is liable to a fine of not more than $100 000 or to imprisonment for
a term of not more than 2 years, or both.

(2) A person who is convicted of an offence against this Act under
circumstances where subsection (1) does not apply is liable to a
fine of not more than $50 000 or to imprisonment for a term of not
more than one year, or both.

(3) The offences referred to in subsection (1)(a) are offences
(a) against section 35, 55(3) or 62(1) or (2),
(b) against section 25(1), if the wildlife is an endangered
animal,
(b.1) against section 59(1) if the offence relates to wildlife with
respect to which a permit referred to in that subsection
may not be lawfully issued, or
(c) involving a contravention of any other provision of this
Act that involves the hunting of a grizzly bear.

 

[Donny Fenn1]

"Cougar season is specified as Dec 1 to Feb 28. But contravenes Section 24(1) [no license] and Section 41(2) [hide abandonment] of the Alberta Wildlife Act."

So it was shot Feb 21? In season or not in season? Weird circumstances fore sure.

 

[madtrapper143]

I would buy the fellow a new pair of gloves.

Gotta be the shortest most analytical statement ever. Bravo!

Darryl

 

[Slamfire]

Or double the penalty if -

(ii) that person has previously been convicted of any
offence involving a contravention of this Act and the
offences for which the current conviction and a
previous conviction were imposed occurred not more
than 5 years apart,
is liable to a fine of not more than $100 000 or to imprisonment for
a term of not more than 2 years, or both.

 

[kamlooky]

One thing appears certain, the kitty gattoe dint win this battle.

 

[Wendell]

Remember these words...

 

[RRH.01]

.....

 

[RRH.01]

Who shoots an out of season cougar and then starts a campfire? Hanging out by a fire and a curious kitty shows up or keeping warm while skinning and got the hell outa dodge?