KELOWNA - A Kelowna-area resident and his son were ordered to pay fines totalling $17,500 for convictions related to unlawful possession of dead wildlife and illegal big game guiding activities, the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection announced today.

Jeffrey Scouten and his father, Calvin Scouten, were charged with a variety of wildlife and firearms offences that were alleged to have taken place in the Revelstoke and Kelowna areas between September 1998 and June 2000.

After a lengthy trial, on July 29, 2003, the Scoutens were convicted on a number of counts and were sentenced by Judge Cartwright at Kelowna Provincial Court on Nov. 27, 2003. All remaining charges were either subject of a request for a stay of proceedings by Crown Counsel, or dismissed.

Jeffrey Scouten was ordered to pay $15,500 for unlawful possession of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, illegally guiding for big game (cougar), hunting cougar without a species licence and unlawful possession of a cougar. He was also ordered to repay fees paid to him for the illegal big game guiding service. Calvin Scouten was ordered to pay $2,000 for unlawful possession of a Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

A number of tips from the public initially triggered a joint investigation by Grand Forks, Kelowna, Mackenzie and Atlin conversation officers and the ministry's Special Investigations Unit in August 1999. In June 2000, members of the Conservation Officer Service and the RCMP arrested the Scoutens and conducted a search of their residence. 

The maximum penalty for a first offence conviction on each charge under the Wildlife Act is $50,000 and/or six months in jail.

Through the ŒObserve, Record, Report' program, all British Columbians are urged to do what they can to combat illegal hunting and fishing. Anyone with evidence of illegal activity is asked to contact the ministry's toll free line at 1-800 663 WILD (9453). All information is confidential.  

Contact:

Bill Bresser
Manager, COS Operations
Victoria
250 952-4118