Sends message to careless hunters, wildlife officer says
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Mar 14/01) - Two Yellowknife men facing 18 wildlife and big game charges are to appear in territorial court on March 20.
Court documents list 13 counts against Frank Becker who allegedly hunted moose, bear and wolverine illegally near the Snare Hydro station and outside Yellowknife Sep. 17 and Oct. 3.
Bradley Christensen faces five counts of licensing violations, including providing false information and hindering a wildlife officer.
Christensen maintains his innocence.
"Yes, I was out hunting... I'm going to plead not guilty," he said.
A person answering the phone at the Becker household said Becker was out of the country until March 23.
Derek Aindow, human resources director of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation confirmed both men were employees, but not necessarily working, during the alleged charges.
"They were casual employees during the fall," Aindow said.
"Any illegal activity where wildlife is concerned is considered poaching," said Raymond Bourget, senior wildlife officer with the North Slave office of Resources Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED). Bourget's office laid the charges.
Bourget wouldn't say wildlife violations are on the rise.
"The word is out that officers are on the road and charging people if they are caught committing infractions," he said.
Last year just under a dozen wildlife act convictions, including stealing wood and hunting out of bounds, resulted in and estimated $3,000 in fines from four wildlife and two forestry officers.
"Most of the charges last year were mine," Bourget said.
