Outrage in Calgary Area as Moose is Killed by Alleged Poacher

Residents of Springbank, located just west of Calgary, are expressing their outrage following the tragic killing of a bull moose on the morning of November 23. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the animal was shot without proper permission, leading to concerns over safety and ethical hunting practices.

Tony, a local resident who wished to remain anonymous, was stunned when he spotted a wounded bull moose stumbling onto his property, arrow protruding from its body. “It was gasping for air and clearly in distress,” he recounted, tapping into the emotional gravity of the situation.

His daughter had noticed a suspicious figure lurking in their tree-lined backyard, which led Tony to head out to investigate. To his shock, he saw a man dressed in camouflage poised to approach the injured moose. “It seemed as if he was startled when I came outside,” Tony noted.

Concerned that they were witnessing a potential case of poaching, Tony and his wife swiftly contacted the authorities. The RCMP referred them to Alberta Fish and Wildlife, which prompted a swift response in the area shortly after 10 a.m.

The intruder remained hidden among the trees for an estimated hour, watching the moose. “We could see the bull moving its head back and forth. It was a heartbreaking sight,” said Tony.

When the alleged shooter eventually approached their home, he attempted to justify his actions, claiming that the moose had charged up from the valley and jumped the fence from a neighboring property. “I was skeptical,” stated Tony, explaining that while tracks may indicate the moose’s movements, they didn’t necessarily confirm where it had been shot.

Dan Maylan, an irritated neighbor who recorded videos of the moose in his yard earlier that morning, chimed in, “Having hunted for years, I can affirm that what this shooter did wasn’t hunting. He preyed on a vulnerable animal while it wandered between backyards.”

Upon arrival, a Fish and Wildlife officer spoke to the hunter first, and after a few minutes of assessment, returned to inform Tony and his wife that the shooter held a valid permit to hunt a bull moose, as well as permission for that area.

However, this revelation sparked a wave of disbelief among the community, especially since Alberta hunting regulations dictate that no weapon may be discharged within 183 meters of occupied buildings. Many residents, including Tony and Maylan, assert that the shooter was significantly closer than this safety distance.

The community is left grappling with the implications of this incident, questioning the enforcement of hunting laws and the ethical standards upheld by individuals claiming to follow them. As they reflect on the loss of this moose, they wonder about the broader impacts on wildlife and safety in their neighborhoods.

This tragic event has highlighted the delicate balance between wildlife conservation, community safety, and ethical hunting practices, leaving many in Springbank demanding accountability and better regulations to prevent future incidents.