Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
In a social media post Friday, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service shared details of an investigation that began in 2020, after the agency got a tip from the public about a man who was using bait to hunt bears in the Elkford area.
BCCOS said their investigation took a full year, but they apprehended Guofeng Li in June 2021 after he was caught shooting a decoy black bear near the bait. Through their investigation, officers determined Li shot and killed a grizzly at that same site and harvested parts from the bear.
"Evidence collected during the year-long investigation, combined with information gathered from search warrants executed on Li's truck and cell phone, resulted in a successful conviction of killing wildlife not within open season," the post shared by BCCOS said. "There is no open season for grizzly bears in the province of British Columbia."
Grizzly hunting was completely banned in the province in December 2017.
Li was sentenced in provincial court this week for a Wildlife Act offence. He was fined $10,000 and banned from hunting for 15 years. He also had to forfeit his rifle, BCCOS said.
Most of Li's fine will go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation to support wildlife habitats in the Elk Valley.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
'More aggressive': Tocchet shifts lineups as Canucks get ready to take on Oilers in Vancouver
As the Canucks prepare to take on the Oilers for Game 5, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet is making changes to the team's lineup.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.