There’s no tolerance for drinking while driving, even on backroads, and particularly not with a loaded firearm, warn conservation officers.
One hunter was stopped twice by officers east of Kelowna Thursday for drinking while driving. The first time was at 9:30 a.m. and he was ticketed for having open liquor in his vehicle. The second time his firearms were confiscated for 24 hours.
There have also been a high number of incidents of loaded firearms in vehicles. Inspector Barb Leslie commented, “Loaded firearms in vehicles is just not acceptable. It’s a very serious safety issue. They must be unloaded when you get into a vehicle.”
As well, she said it’s vital that hunters be alert and not drink alcohol while using either vehicles or firearms.
Finally, she said if a hunter shoots an animal that is not in season, for whatever reason, it’s important that they report their error as soon as possible, rather than wait for conservation officers to track them down.
CO Ken Owens reports that six or seven moose have been poached in this area in the past couple of weeks, along with a number of deer and a couple of elk.
If you have any information regarding illegal activity, call the toll-free Report All Polluters and Poachers line at: 1-877-952-7277.
In particular, he investigated a three point moose that was shot and left in the Jackpine Lake area last Saturday, on the Gorilla Forest Service Road. The road has been deactivated to prevent vehicles from using it about the 30 km marker, and the animal was found about 10 km further, so a quad likely was used to there, he said.
Owens said they retrieved evidence from the site, after the illegal kill was reported later that day. Only spike fork bull moose are in season for hunting.
CO Terry Myroniuk said two moose have also been shot illegally in the Tadpole Lake area in the past week or so.
One was self-reported and the other is under investigation. It was discovered between Tadpole Lake and where Sandberg Main forks off Whiterocks Main on Oct. 22 and it’s believed it was shot Oct. 19 or 20.
It was a three point moose and the meat was taken. Anyone with any information which might help is asked to call the RAPP line.
He’s also concerned about the number of Mule deer does shot and left, likely because the hunters mid-took them for White-tailed does, which there is an open season on.
However, he said Mule deer populations can’t handle the losses of such mistakes, so it’s important that hunters learn to identify the differences between the two species of deer before going out.
He said he’s given out three 24-hour suspensions for drinking and another for drug use.
In addition there have been complaints about illegal night hunting and vandalism on private property.
jsteeves@kelownacapnews.com
