A week after Fish and Wildlife officers put out a call for public tips in their ongoing fight against poachers in the Sundre area, information provided by the public has lead to several new charges, say officials.
“The public is really stepping up and getting us photos and other information,” Sundre Fish and Wildlife officer Adam Mirus said Monday. “The more information the public is able to provide us, the easier it is to find these people.
“We encourage the public to get us the best information they can, like licence plates and photos with their cellphone.”
There have been numerous deer, elk and moose shot and left in the Sundre-Olds district since hunting season got underway on November 1, including at least two deer in the past week, he said.
A Sundre-area landowner tip last week led to charges against two men, each now facing unlawful possession of deer, shooting from a vehicle, and hunting on occupied land, he said.
Anyone seeing suspected poachers is being advised not to approach them, but rather to immediately call the Report-A-Poacher hotline at 1-800-642-3800.
“We are asking people not to take things into their own hands, but to call the hotline. We are asking that people don't confront them,” he said.
Report-A-Poacher program offers rewards of up to $2,000 for information leading to the conviction of poachers, he said.
