Outfitter charged with unsafe bear baiting near Fort McMurray

Ronald Beaver wants Albertans to know why they should take seriously recent charges against an outfitter who operated in the Fort McMurray area the practice puts others at risk.

"Once a bear comes to a bait site and is used to the area," said Beaver, a local hunter andmember of the Treaty 8 Trappers Association, "it will be protective of that area and if somebody comes close, the bear will probably charge and attack."

• Alberta government orders investigation into spear killing of bear
• Bear baiting allowed for 2nd season in N.W.T.

Alberta-based Bear Bonez Outfitters and its owner facenumerous chargesincluding meat wastage, hunting without carrying the necessary permits and failing to post proper signs warning about the use of black bear bait.

Bear baiting isa technique where meat scraps or other attractants like berry syrup areleft in remote locations in the forest.

The goal is to lure bears to a specific area and to make them easier to kill.

Beaver said many trappers, hunters and berry pickers on the Bigstone Cree Nation often stumble upon these areas without warning.

"It poses a big risk for everybody," said Beaver. "Especially hunters who are out there all the time."

'Trophy bear hunting'

ColtenFedorvich, owner of Bear Bonez Outfitters,declined commenton the charges, whichwere sworn in August.

According to court documents, the company andFedorvich currently face 14 charges for incidents that occurred in May 2018 and June 2017. None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Court filings show this is the first time Fedorvich and his company have been charged with such offences.

Neither the documents ora spokesperson for Alberta Fish and Wildlife specified the location of the alleged incident, but, according to the outfitter's website, the company operates near Wood Buffalo National Park, south of Fort Smith.

The company's website boasts "our pride, and our promise, ensures that our customers take home trophy" and features multiple examples of animalkills in photos and video.

Fish and Wildlife declined to comment specifically on the case as it's before the courts.

However,spokesperson Brendan Cox said he wanted to underscore the importance of using bear bait safely.

"The signs are important to have because it will tell people there's a food attractant nearby and we should expect the presence of bears," Cox said. "It's really a safety thing and warns people they should stay clear of that area."

The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society said most of the province's 484 registered outfitters and 1,500 guides are law-abiding, and that each year on average,25 are convicted of offences under the Wildlife Act.

• MOREFORTMcMURRAYNEWS: Fort McMurray locals disapprove of transient workers, case study shows
• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS:Fort McMurray faces shortage of child-care professionals, advocacy group warns
• MORE FORTMcMURRAYNEWS:New ideas sought to modernize Fort McMurray's 'dated' downtown

"These types of contraventions are the exception, not the norm," said Jeana Schuurman, the society's managing director.

Schuurmansaid Fedorvich holds a valid outfitter guide permit and is a member in good standing.

Connect with David Thurton, CBC'sFort McMurraycorrespondent, onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedInor email him atdavid.thurton@cbc.ca