Chesterfield Inlet (Oct 15/03) - An investigation is underway into a polar bear shooting outside of Chesterfield Inlet.

Department of Renewable Resources Kivalliq wildlife manager Dan Shewchuk said a local elder notified the Chesterfield Aqigiq Hunter and Trapper Organization (HTO) that he had shot the female bear earlier this month.

He said the Rankin Inlet detachment of the RCMP were notified and provided the officers to travel to Chester, secure the hide, and fly it back to Rankin where it's now in the possession of wildlife officers.

"Chesterfield Inlet does not have any quota this season for polar bear from the Fox Basin population," said Shewchuk.

"There was an over harvesting of female bears from Chester's quota last year."

Shewchuk said the Chester HTO was aware of the zero quota and had been attempting to inform local hunters of the situation.

"I don't think this was a case of bad communication because, from what I understand, The Chester HTO was on the local radio this past summer and fall telling local hunters they have no quota for polar bears .

"I can't speculate on what, exactly, happened until the investigation is concluded and statements are taken, but it would appear, for whatever reason, the guy just didn't know what was going on."

Shewchuk said the next step in the process is to find a tag for the bear.

His department, along with the Chester HTO, will be communicating with the other HTOs that have tags for polar bears from the Fox Basin population. "I'm sure one of these communities will have polar bear credits available and we'll, eventually, be able to get a tag for this animal."

Shewchuk said there's no time frame on when the investigation will be completed.

Once it is concluded, there is a chance the bear will be turned back over the Chester HTO for disposal.

"If that's the case, what they do with the hide is up to the HTO.

"But, usually, in defence and some other types of kills, the hide will be given back to the HTO and they'll have some kind of draw or auction for it and the revenue will come back to the HTO."