
Alberta hunters fined thousands for multiple infractions
An Alberta couple was fined $14,340 for residency deer tagging violations in Saskatchewan.
Richard Bannister and Valerie Lavelle of Veteran, Alta., recently pleaded guilty in St. Wahlburg provincial court to several hunting offences, following a long and complex investigation set in motion when the two were pulled over for using a cell phone while driving last year.
A conservation officer patrolling near Turtleford on Nov. 22 noticed a driver using his phone and stopped the vehicle. During the stop, the officer noticed a harvested white- tailed doe with improperly applied seals and further investigation confirmed the occupants had obtained multiple hunting licenses, despite being Alberta residents since 2018. They also provided false information about where and when several deer were harvested and attempted to enlist another individual to help cover up their actions.
Bannister received most of the fine, totalling $10,750, which covered such offences as providing false information to a conservation officer, using a cell phone while driving and failing to possess a valid firearm license and illegal export of game. He also had four counts of non-resident purchase of a Saskatchewan resident hunting licence and three counts of unlawful hunting.