Alberta wildlife officials search for apparent deer poachers caught on video

Fish and Wildlife officers have released a video in hopes of catching a group of people they believe poached a deer in northern Alberta.

The video was posted to Fish and Wildlife Enforcement’s Facebook page Friday and appears to shows a deer being shot. A pickup truck can then be seen driving over to the animal. Three people can be seen jumping out of the truck, loading the deer in the back of the vehicle and driving away.

Officers said the video, which has no audio, was captured by a concerned citizen at around 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5. It happened about five kilometres east of the town of Colinton, near Athabasca.

Officers said the people in the video could face charges in relation to firing a weapon from the roadway, hunting on private land without permission from the landowner and failing to immediately tag the deer.

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or the Athabasca office at 780-675-2419. Callers can remain anonymous if they wish.