A hunter who left a harvested elk carcass hanging in the open near Bergen, about 80 kilometres north of Cochrane, that attracted grizzly bears was determined to have been in full compliance with regulations following a visit from Fish and Wildlife officers.
A picture of the antlered animal’s head hung high up in the air from a load lifter’s bucket with a grizzly sow that had three cubs in tow reaching up for the carcass was shared last week on a Sundre-area social media post cautioning nearby residents in the Bergen and Fallen Timber area of Mountain View County about the presence of the bears.
“On Sept. 10, Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services received reports of social media posts showing a grizzly bear sow and her three cubs feeding on a harvested elk carcass,” Laura Vilchis Sanchez, Alberta government communications advisor for Public Safety and Emergency Services, wrote by email on Monday, Sept. 16 in response to questions.
A Fish and Wildlife officer later visited the site south of Bergen in the Sundre area where the elk had been harvested to conduct a compliance check and subsequently determined all of the rules were followed, Sanchez told the Albertan.
“After a thorough review, the officer confirmed that the hunter involved had complied with all regulations,” reads part of her statement.
“Hunters are required to hold valid licences, hunt within an open season, and follow all legal requirements. This includes tagging the animal immediately after harvest and ensuring no part of the meat is wasted.”
However, harvested animals do not have to be kept within the confines of a structure such as a barn or garage.
“Hunters know that regulations must be followed and if they do not follow the regulations they will be charged,” she said.
“In this situation, all regulations were followed and the grizzly bears attending the carcass was an unfortunate event.”
Archery season typically begins around the start of September in the Sundre area, and officials said “it’s important to remember that there are hunters out on the landscape.”
“We encourage all hunters and hikers to carry bear spray in an easily accessible location when out in the field,” she said.
“Both black and grizzly bears are especially active during this time of year as they search for high-calorie food sources in preparation for winter hibernation.”
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