Trophy hunting has become somewhat of a hot-button topic lately. The latest example of this involves a player from the NHL, though the actual killing of the animal is only part of the story.
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner is facing five charges for allegedly killing a grizzly bear — affectionately named “Cheeky” — two years ago. According to the Vancouver Sun, Stoner is charged with “two counts of making a false statement to obtain a licence on May 22, 2013, as well as one count of hunting without a licence, one count of hunting wildlife out of season, and one count of unlawful possession of dead wildlife.”
Stoner is scheduled to appear in Vancouver provincial court on Oct. 9. Though born in British Columbia, the crux of the situation stems from Stoner’s residency as it relates to the Wildlife Act:
Detective-Sergeant Cynthia Mann of the Conservation Officer Service’s major investigation unit said in an interview Wednesday that the Wildlife Act defines resident hunters as Canadian citizens or permanent residents whose primary residences are in B.C. and who are physically present in B.C. the “greater portion of each of six calendar months out of the 12 calendar months” preceding both their application for the hunt and the date of the actual hunt.
At the time of the hunt, Stoner played for the Minnesota Wild. He just completed his first season with the Ducks. Without residency and a license, Stoner would have had to pay $25,000 for a guide to hunt. However, fines for these charges can range from $50,000 to $250,000.
(Via the Vancouver Sun)
