With the general hunting season now underway and running until the end of November, Sundre-Olds area Fish and Wildlife officers are asking for the public's help in identifying poachers and other violators.Officer Adam Mirus says public tips can be very helpful in identifying and charging offenders. He said residents are advised to be on the lookout for unusual or suspicious persons or vehicles in the area.“Anyone who has their usual routine, getting up every morning and driving the same road every day, when they see something that is outside that routine that is what we are looking for,” said Mirus.“Watch out for vehicles sitting on the side of the road late at night or vehicles where they shouldn't be or people on land that you know your neighbour doesn't allow hunting on.”Residents should not approach a suspicious vehicle or persons, but instead should call the 1-800-642-3800 Report-A-Poacher number, he said.“If people can get a licence plate number for us or a vehicle description, that is helpful,” he said. “People can take a photo with their phone, since just about pretty much every phone has a camera on it.“We want them to be safe in doing that and we don't want people confronting anyone. It's not just catching the poachers we are after, but also detecting the violations as well. When you hear those shots at night, and it doesn't matter if it's 3 o'clock in the morning, we want them to call the 1-800 number.”The hotline runs 24 hours a day, with cash rewards of up to $2,000 offered. “Callers can remain anonymous,” he said.Mirus noted that public tips have already been a help this fall -- on Oct. 29 a tip lead to the seizure of two illegally shot elk outside Sundre.Hunters are reminded that they need to be prepared for the winter conditions at this time of year, he said.“If they are not travelling with a partner, they should leave a note or make sure somebody knows where they are going and what time they plan to be back. And they should be carrying enough supplies that they can stay in the bush overnight,” he said.Although there is snow in the West Central Alberta forest, hunters are also reminded that there are still grizzly and black bears active in the area, he said.“The bear will be out for a while longer yet,” he said. “We encourage hunters not to put animal scent on themselves. It's not a good idea because that's what a bear is going to be attracted to.”Mirus says another thing to be on the lookout for during hunting season is increased animal travel across roads and highways.“Animals are rut so they are going to be that much more mobile, so the frequency to hit deer is that much higher. So watch for that.”Sundre-Olds Fish and Wildlife officers patrol an area of 2,715 square miles.
