A Calgary man hunting without a licence was slapped with a $7,000 fine in Cochrane Provincial Court last week.
Fang Shao Xie, 44, pleaded guilty to one count of hunting without a licence on Friday (Aug, 28). Along with the hefty fine, Xie received a one-year hunting suspension.
“We hope with convictions like this it’s a deterrent to other poachers and we’re serious about protecting fish and wildlife,” said Brendan Cox, spokesperson for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General.
Cochrane and Canmore Fish and Wildlife officers say they observed Xie shooting a firearm in an attempt to bag a mule deer northeast of Canmore on leased land, Nov. 2, 2014.
“This occurred on fenced lease land,” said Mark Hoskin, district Fish and Wildlife officer, in an email. “An individual is required to know where they are when they discharge their firearm and have all the legal permissions in place.”
In an unrelated incident, Xie was arrested on Jan. 27 and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent of trafficking, theft under $5,000 and theft of electricity.
Xie was allegedly involved in an illegal grow op that was dismantled at a Harvest Hills home in Calgary.
To report a poacher call 1-800-642-3800.
