I will never understand doing illegal activity, especially when it comes to hunting. Just follow the rules and don’t ruin it for the rest of us.
Poaching is one of those things that brings a bad reputation to hunters. It’s an easy target, one of which we don’t need.
The funny thing about these people, is that they always seem to be their own worst enemy.
I think it speaks volumes to how they operate on a daily basis. It shows that their thought process is not as thorough as it should be when going about these activities that are frowned upon in the eyes of the law and any self-respecting hunter.
Long story short… they’re idiots.
CBC News had a story of an Alaskan man, Donald Lee who went for a sheep hunt in a remote area by the Nation River.
Lee was knowingly hunting near the Canadian border of Yukon territory. He came across a Bighorn Sheep while standing in Alaska and made the decision to take the shot. When Lee began to walk to the animal, he realized that the animal was about 350 feet across the border.
Lee quartered up the sheep and packed it out of the bush. When he got back into civilization he reported the sheep as an Alaskan kill to local authorities.
Before Lee left the area, he was sure to get pictures with his harvest. Something every hunter loves to do, to keep the memory and have proof of the tale they’re telling all their buddies.
Here’s where you will start to scratch your head and simply wonder “why?”.
Lee took the photo’s and posted them to Facebook, bragging in the caption of the “Yukon Zebra” that he had shot, referring to the dark colors in its coat.
About a year following the hunt, the photo ended up getting flagged on Facebook. This drew the attention of Canadian authorities. In addition to the photo, they had received a tip that the hunt had taken place near the border.
A wildlife officer and a Yukon conservation officer began an investigation. During this, they decided to take a helicopter out to the location of the hunt.
Using the photo from Facebook, they found the EXACT location where Lee took it using land marks that could be seen. They recreated the photo hilariously holding the photo of Lee. It is very obvious that it was the same location.
In the end, Lee pleaded guilty to the charges. I can only imagine he didn’t have much of a choice with the evidence.
Originally prosecutors where looking to charge Lee with $12,500 (CAD) accompanied by a 5-year hunting ban. This was based on the cost of hunting sheep in Yukon being far more expensive, upwards of $19,000. Lee countered with just a $5,000 fine.
Since he was extremely cooperative he ended up with a $8,500 (CAD) fine and the 5-yeear hunting ban due to his clean record and cooperation. Still a big hit and a lot of hunting lost.
Lee understood what he did was wrong.
“I am regretful for the decisions I made that day. I can’t return the animal to the mountain.”
The prosecutor in the case, Noel Sinclair, was happy with the results.
“I don’t know too many people for whom $8,500 and the forfeiture of a multi-thousand-dollar shoulder-mounted sheep is something that, you know, isn’t going to hurt them in the pocket book,”
Sinclair hopes it’s a lesson to all poachers in how damaging the fines and restrictions can be.
This situation is a testament to knowing where you are and the regulations while you are hunting. No animal is worth a hefty fine and losing your hunting privileges for an extended period.
Also, if you’re going to do illegal things, at least think before you post it on social media. Authorities are not stupid and will use it as evidence.
