Tips lead to poachers

Photo: Contributed

Following an influx of tips and calls to the conservation office, two alleged poachers have been identified after a pregnant mule deer was illegally harvested.

“We would like to thank the public for their assistance,” says Conservation officer Jeff Hanratty. “Multiple tips were received, and we've identified two Penticton residents as suspects.”

On Tuesday, the B.C. Conservation Service put a call out asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle and two people involved. Calls flooded in.

“Without question, the number of tips that came in absolutely pointed to the suspects,” says Hanratty. “Without the assistance of the public, we likely would not have identified them.”

Several residents living near Spiller Road in Penticton were awoken by a loud truck in the late hours of April 15.

Two men inside the truck, above, appeared to harvest a mule deer during closed season, at night and with the aid of a light.

“The subjects were seen attempting to load a freshly killed mule deer doe into the back of the truck, but fled when they observed the witness (taking photos),” explained Hanratty earlier this week. "We are concerned with the safety risk associated with this type of violation and with the impact on the local deer population.”

Hanratty says the doe was pregnant with twins, which would have likely been born in coming weeks.

The B.C. Conservation Service is now completing its investigation to determine what charges and/or fines will be laid against the two men.

“At this point, we are in the investigation stage where we will be gathering evidence,” says Hanratty. “There are multiple potential charges, including hunting in closed season, hunting prohibited hours and hunting without licences.”