BC NEWS, DAWSON CREEK

Monday, December 18, 2023

A Northern BC man has been slapped with a $10,000 fine after unlawfully shooting a moose near Pouce Coupe (Dawson Creek) back in September 2020…

The Conservation Service shared details that a man, Rory Friesen, shot a bull moose as it crossed Berry Road, a back road southwest of Pouce Coupe. A motorist was driving on the same road and witnessed the man injure the moose with a rifle and then watched as the man shot the animal two more times with another rifle.

The witness, who was in their vehicle in the middle of the road at the time, was fortunately not injured. The witness had then contacted a poachers hotline to report the incident to Conservation. It was determined on site once the COS arrived that the man illegally shot the moose and the COS took the antlers as evidence.

Friesen was recently sentenced in Dawson Creek Provincial Court for killing a bull moose during a closed season and hunting without consideration for the lives and safety of others, both violations under the Wildlife Act. Friesen is also prohibited from accompanying hunters anywhere in BC for three years.

The COS hopes this penalty will deter others from similar activity. A civil forfeiture order was issued in November 2023, allowing assets and property to be seized that are tainted by crime.

The majority of the penalty will go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation.