An Alberta man pled guilty in Port Hardy Provincial Court to hunting without a licence.

鈥淥n Sept. 19, 2019 an Alberta man pleaded guilty in Port Hardy Provincial Court to hunting without a licence, contrary to the B.C. Wildlife Act; the charge of making a false statement to obtain a licence was stayed,鈥� states a post from the Conservation Officer Service鈥檚 (COS) social media page.

The COS added that on Oct. 1, 鈥渢he man was sentenced to pay $2,501 with $2,500 being directed to the Habitat and Conservation Trust Fund. The man owned property on Northern Vancouver Island, however he maintained a business and access to government services in Alberta, all while continuing to hunt in Alberta as a resident as well.鈥�

According to the COS, the criteria to be considered a B.C. Resident under the Wildlife Act is strict and is based on several factors, such as status in Canada, location of primary residence, and duration a person is physically present in B.C.

鈥淚t is the responsibility of each hunter or angler to know whether they are considered a B.C. Resident in accordance with the Wildlife Act,鈥� the COS concluded.