The NHL player at the centre of the debate about grizzly bear hunting in B.C. pleaded guilty today to killing the animal without a proper licence.
Northern Vancouver Island-born Clayton Stoner faced five charges dating back to 2013 when he shot the grizzly bear known as ‘Cheeky’ on B.C.’s Central Coast.
Stoner was not in court today. His lawyer pleaded guilty to one out of five counts on Stoner’s behalf.
Crown is asking for sentence of a $10,000 fine and a three-year hunting prohibition for Stoner.
The five offences fell under the Wildlife Act, including hunting without a licence and hunting out of season. Stoner has never denied the kill and has always maintained he had the necessary permits, but conservation officers say he didn’t meet the residency requirements to have a hunting licence.
Information about Stoner shooting and killing an 18-year-old male grizzly in an area owned by Raincoast Conservation Foundation also came out in court proceedings today.
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Stoner is from Port McNeill and plays for the Anaheim Ducks.
He shot the five-year-old bear in the Kwatna River Estuary, just east of Bella Bella. The bear was left to rot in a field in the estuary.
With files from Amy Judd
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