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October 21, 2020 ~ Vol. 90 No. 42 $1.00
Hefty fines for shooting grizzly Crowsnest Pass
Herald Serving the CnP SinCe 1930
Crowsnest Pass Herald file photo
Delon Shurtz Lethbridge Herald
Max Krekhovetski has replayed over and over again in his head the nightmarish hunting trip he took two years ago. As a new hunter, Krekhovetski shot his first whitetail deer during the hunting trip west of Claresholm. He excitedly brought it back to camp and hung it next to a deer already hanging high on a meat pole about 50 metres away. During the night a grizzly bear tore off a chunk of the first deer, and hauled down Krekhovetski’s deer and dragged it into the bush. It wasn’t long after when the nightmare began. One of two men with whom Krekhovetski was hunting shot and killed the bear the following night, and assaulted Krekhovetski when he threatened to report the unlawful shooting to authorities. “I was left extremely traumatized by the assault,” Krekhovetski said
Friday in Lethbridge provincial court, during a sentencing hearing for fellow hunters Jeffrey Edison Hambrook and Gary Edgar Gilson. “To say that my life has flashed before my eyes is an understatement. What made it really scary for me was the fear that the assailants were driven by.” Hambrook pleaded guilty Jan. 6 in Fort Macleod provincial court to a charge under the Wildlife Act of hunting out of season – as a protected species there is no hunting season for grizzly bears – and to charges under the Criminal Code of assault and uttering threats in relation to property. Gilson pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of wildlife, theft under $5,000 and uttering threats in relation to property. The Crown had recommended fines and short jail sentences for the men, and although their lawyers agreed fines would be appropriate for the Wildlife Act offences,
they suggested jail is not warranted for the Criminal Code offences and the hunters should receive a conditional discharge. Calgary lawyer Paul Brunnen said Hambrook, 38, is an “extremely good citizen” who acted out of character. “(Hambrook) is a good individual who did a very foolish thing in the heat of the moment,” Brunnen said. “My client is very embarrassed and very remorseful.” The men were camping at a designated campsite Nov. 2, 2018 when Krekhovetski of Calgary shot the whitetail deer. That night the bear dragged the deer into the woods, but the hunter found his deer the next morning, dragged it back to camp and hung it higher on the meat pole. About 7:40 that evening, a light was activated by a motion sensor, and trail cameras caught the bear trying to get at the meat. At 10 p.m. the bear returned, but Hambrook and Gilson were hiding nearby. Shortly af-
terward Hambrook shot and killed the bear, and in response to a query by Krekhovetski, claimed he only fired a warning shot. However, the next morning Krekhovetski found the grizzly bear, took a picture of it, then began arguing with Hambrook while taking pictures of vehicle licence plates. While taking pictures of Gilson’s licence plate, Krekhovetski and Hambrook began fighting and Hambrook pinned Krekhovetski to the ground. When Krekhovetski refused to delete the photos from his cellphone Gilson took it from his pocket. Gilson, who was holding an axe, threatened to smash the phone unless Krekhovetski gave him the password to access the phone. After other campers yelled for them to stop, Hambrook got off Krekhovetski and his phone was eventually returned to him. The next day, after he returned to his home in Calgary, Krekhovetski reported the incident. Hambrook, Gilson and one other hunter, Jack Murphy, loaded the bear on a trailer and hid it in the woods a short distance away. When a Fish and Wildlife officer arrived to investigate the shooting, Murphy directed him to the hiding spot. Defence suggested Friday that Krekhovetski should shoulder some of
the blame for hauling his deer carcass back to the meat pole after he was advised against it. Brunnen also downplayed the assault and said Hambrook and Krekhovetski simply wrestled each other to the ground and Hambrook sat on him. Brunnen said the hunters eventually apologized to each other and even shared a “Kumbaya moment,” as they sat around a fire and discussed the incident. And Hambrook, Brunnen said, hasn’t hunted for two years. Gilson’s lawyer, Jim Lutz, told court charges of uttering threats, even egregious ones, rarely attract anything more than a fine, and he suggested a conditional discharge in this case would not be contrary to the public interest. Crown Prosecutor Michael Fox argued the hunters should not only face high fines, but a jail sentence between three and four months. He said the bear didn’t pose any threat to hunters, and the animal was shot at night, which showed a disregard for the safety of others in the area. Fox pointed out warning shots are normally fired in the air, not toward the ground, and when the bear was discovered, it was hidden and left to rot. The subsequent assault on Krekhovetski for fear he would report the
shooting to authorities is also serious, Fox stressed, and was not a “matter of impulse.” “They didn’t have to do what they did,” Fox said. “They knew what they were doing.” Krekhovetski consoled himself by believing the incident was spur-ofthe-moment and everyone felt badly afterward. That changed, however, after his “assailants” returned to hunt the following weekend, and he began for fear for his life. He told court he drives a different vehicle, spends less time in Calgary, and avoids going out in public as much as possible. “I have kept a low profile on social media and avoid leaving any clues to my whereabouts,” he added. Judge Eric Peterson handed both men a oneyear conditional discharge and prohibited them from hunting for three years. A conditional discharge is an order whereby an offender will not be sentenced for an offence unless a further offence is committed within the period of the discharge. Once that period has elapsed, the conviction is removed from the record. Hambrook was also fined $12,000 for shooting the bear, while Gilson was fined $10,000 for unlawful possession of wildlife. Both men were given nine months to pay their fines.
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New hunting progam to be tested Local Resident Behind New Pilot Program for Disabled Hunters DaviD SelleS Pass Herald Reporter
Local resident and hunter Raymond Cairns has spearheaded a pilot program for disabled hunters. Cairns says when he went to get his discharge permit, he was told he could hunt but would be unable to retrieve his kills. "I was going to get my discharge permit and they said I can go and take my quad and I can hunt but I can't go off the trails with my quad to get my game. For a disabled person with limited mobility, that's an impossibility. We hadn't even entered their minds because nobody had asked about these things." After being told there was nothing that would be done to allow Cairns to go off trail and pick up his game, he went all the way to the top and called the Alberta Minister of Environment and Parks. "I phoned Nixon and
David Selles photo
This Permit is what all disabled hunters who qualify for the pilot program will receive to place on their vehicles. This permit will allow disabled hunters to travel off trail on their ATV’s in order to retrieve their kills.
told him that I wanted to hunt but wasn't able to because I wasn't allowed to go get the game after I shot it. Within three days, they came up with a pilot program.” Cairns says the pilot program includes a letter of authority stating the disabled hunters ability to go and pick up their game and also provides
this program will help give disabled hunters a sense of accomplishment as well. "From no program to having a program that allows disabled hunters to go in and actually do a hunt and come out with their game and feel good they were able to do something is great." Cairns says he
"I phoned (Jason) Nixon and told him that I wanted to hunt but wasn't able to because I wasn't allowed to go get the game after I shot it. Within three days, they came up with a pilot program.” - Raymond Cairns the hunters with the same permit card as all workers to put on their vehicles to show they are authorized to go off trail. Cairns also emphasized that this is a pilot program and changes could come. Cairns wants to make sure all disabled hunters now know they have this option. "I want to announce that these letter of authorities will be offered to all disabled hunters depending on their disability." According to Cairns,
pleased with the quick turn around for getting this pilot program up and running. "It took them three days to come up with this out of Edmonton and I'm pretty happy they paid that much attention to it." Any disabled hunters looking to receive the letter of authority and permit card are able to do so when registering for their discharge permit. "The first thing they do is get a hold of the parks service in Pincher Creek to get their letter of
authority. They're the same people you would ask for the discharge permit. You tell them you're disabled and you need a letter of authority and stuff to go with it and they'll call you in and give it to you. They'll also give you the rules and regulations that go with it." Cairns says he feels a sense of responsibility when he goes hunting now. "For me, this is kind of a catch 22 because I have to be really good doing this. I can't afford to make any mistakes when I hunt because I'm the very first one so it's all sitting on my shoulders." Cairns says he hoped that through this pilot program he might be able to meet other disabled hunters. "I'd like to see other hunters going out too. I'd like to meet some of them so I can maybe find another partner to hunt with. I don't have a partner right now. It would be nice to meet other disabled hunters that are doing the same thing I am."
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Wednesday, October 21, 2020 - Crowsnest PAss herAlD - 3
In the lIne of fIre Between October 12 and October 19, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to a total of 53 calls for service including the following reported incidents. One (1) assaults, one (1) break and enter (other), three (3) threats/harassments, one (1) mischief (vandalism), four (4) thefts, three (3) other provincial statutes, eight (8) driving complaints, seven (7) motor vehicle collisions, two (2) assistance to general public, six (6) suspicious occurrences, two (2) assistance to other agencies, five (5) 911 calls (invalid), five (5) animal calls, two (2) municipal bylaws and two (2) lost and found. Suspicious Vehicle On October 13th, 2020, at approximately 3 AM, there was a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at Island Lake Campground trying to break into the donation box.
Thefts On October 14th, 2020, at approximately midnight, there was a complaint of theft from parked vehicles in front of a residence on 18 Avenue in Blairmore. Tools were taken from the vehicle. On October 14th, 2020, at approximately 3 AM, there was a report of attempted theft from a truck parked on 18 Avenue in Blairmore. On October 16th, 2020, there was a complaint of theft of a 1982 Shasta travel trailer from the Tent Mountain area. Other items stolen include a Coleman canoe, Craftsman chainsaw, propane stoves, inverter, tarps, propane bottles, fishing equipment and some tools. Trailer Damage and Theft On October 17th 2020, there was a report of damage to a travel trailer parked on property west of Coleman and
~ rCMP news ~
theft of items from trailer. Found Items RCMP have two found bikes, which were found in Blairmore area in the past couple of months. There is also one found ladies’ gym bag with clothes in it and a laptop that was found on 27 Avenue in Bellevue. Reminder to property owners to lock your doors and vehicles. Also mark your belongings and record serial numbers of tools and other important items. Be aware of a new scam. Victims get phone calls from someone pretending to be from Service Canada or another government agency, saying their social insurance number (SIN) has been blocked, compromised or suspended. The call might be one of the latest variations on caller ID in which fraudsters disguises the number seen on the ID display in order to trick victims into an-
The Simple Raven’s Post by Avner Perl
Music and History in the making. There are various ways by which civilizations dispose of the bodies of those who died, and often their artistic images outlast their physical remains. Sometimes the burial monuments are preserved for their artistic value. We form our opinions about past civilizations by studying their art and creating stories around the artifacts. Up to mid-eighteen hundreds, only visual art could be preserved, and then humans developed specialized equipment to preserve sound. The Phonograph and soon later the Gramophone were invented. No longer only the high society could enjoy the best musical performances like operas, symphonies, and concerts. A hundred years later I arrived on earth and was part of the first generation of sound consumers using “vinyl” records to reproduce the art of music. A kid like me didn’t need to be born rich to go to operas and concerts. I could save my money and buy a “45” record and listen to the most popular music. Millions of us did. For the first time in history, we had a way to gauge the effect of music and songs on culture. In 1963 I purchased a recording of The Browns singing the song Three Bells, or as many called it Jimmy Brown. There’s a village hidden in the valley among the pine trees half forlorn and there on a sunny morning Little Jimmy Brown was born. (Bells ringing.) The song goes on describing the second time bells ring for Jimmy Brown when he “meets his love” and a third time when he passed away. “Then the little congregation, Prayed for guidance from above, Lead us not into temptation, Bless this hour of meditation, Guide us with eternal life.” The old system where people were bred to work, reproduce, and die was changing. In Quebec, Canada, the Habitants realized that they were slaves of the rich and refused to slave away for an hour of meditation and promises of eternal love. They demanded equal wages, unionized, and got it. The “quiet revolution replaced the Duplessis era.” In 1968 I bought another 45 record named “Master Jack” by Four Jacks and a Jill. In 68 the world was going wacky. The US looked almost like a war zone with people fighting in the streets. African countries were gaining freedom from Colonial powers and music was breaking all the old rules. Master Jack was recorded in South Africa where people were fighting against apartheid and started with the
swering phone. The person will ask for SIN and other personal info, such as date of birth, address, etc. Victims who provide personal info are at risk of identity fraud. Also, Do not say yes to any questions if you are unsure of who is calling as people can use voice recognition to access other information. Anyone with information regarding any crime is urged to contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment at 403-562-2867, or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-422TIPS. Reminder to residents of computer scams, credit cards scams, Grandparent scams, Revenue Canada scams asking for money or cash cards and saying warrants out for arrest, do not give out personal information to persons you don't know.
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words “It’s a strange, strange world we live in Master Jack.” It thanked Master Jack for teaching but said that “I want to see the world through my own eyes and I will never come back.” It sold millions of copies and the world changed some more. Master Jack, the British Empire, has no more colonies. Humankind was freeing itself from servitude for the privilege of staying alive. The ”seventies” were not easy, people worked hard and got rewarded accordingly. Many of us poor people joined the middle class and social programs took care of the most vulnerable. There was an outcry about the costs which proved to be “fake news”. We Canadians were paying much less per capita than our equals next door. Those of us who benefited from higher education worked, innovated, and made our province into what you see today. The last 45 vinyl record I remember purchasing was “Don’t cry for me Argentina” from the movie Evita. Here was a beautiful young woman from modest beginnings who made her way to the top. She had friends in high places and used her extraordinary skills in public relations to hand Argentina over to the elite, trusting that she would be able to help her people. She died young, and another took her place, ending up being the first female president of the country. That approach didn’t work. The two beautiful women should have focused on organizing the poor people to use their numbers for gaining rights, freedom, and equality. I have witnessed the power of an attractive young woman telling people to each organize five friends to protest injustice, and it worked. The world now is in turmoil, and people have enough of being used. People are scared to lose the world to the greed of a few. A pandemic arrived, miraculously at the right time, to expose how much those who benefit most don’t care about those who give them the wealth. For the time being, the governments are using the fear to prevent social action, but it gives the masses time to absorb their situation and plan for the future. Here I see our “elected representatives” trying to reduce and demoralize our social medical program. If we lose that the working people will once again be enslaved to their employers who will provide group health insurance that you lose if you don’t have a job. So far the conflict is less on the streets and more on the internet, but this may change. Young people are aware of what awaits them if they don’t fight for their rights. Now music is on electronic devices, carried easily in a pocket, and entering the brain through headphones. It is not the romantic music that my grandparents so admired and my mother sung to me when I was a baby. The music I hear is disturbingly loud and very emotional. It gives away the mood of the huge number of people who now inhabit the earth. If you talk to some people, you hear that our big problem is that we have too many people. Yes, we do if we sit back and not act. Poor, uneducated people multiply fast. If you ask the billions of individuals they all want to live out their lives as comfortable as possible. We don’t have too many candidates willing to give up life, so a few greedy people will have more. We must prepare for “post-capitalism” now. Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.