Alaska Wildlife Troopers responded to several violations in Sitka during the past month – from illegal hunting of a brown bear to unlawful possession of halibut.
Wildlife troopers cited Sitka resident Brett Martin, 46, on Monday (11-09-15) for allegedly making false statements about a brown bear locking tag and sport fishing license, when he did not qualify as a resident. Martin was also charged with aiding in false statements for his 15-year-old son, who allegedly killed a brown bear illegally.
According to trooper reports, Martin’s son shot and killed a small female brown bear near Katlian Bay in September with a resident tag. However, the juvenile had been living in the state since June and did not qualify as a resident. Troopers say Martin admitted he knew the residency requirement to be 12 consecutive months in Alaska. A resident brown bear tag is $25. For a non-resident, it is $500. Troopers seized the bear and Martin will have an arraignment in Sitka District Court.
On Tuesday (11-10-15), Sitka resident Joseph List, age 32, pled guilty to two counts of false statements and one of failing to obtain a non-resident deer locking tag. He was fined $1,300 and ordered to pay $2,166 in restitution to the state for licensing monies lost. His hunting, fishing and trapping licenses were revoked until next May and he is on probation for one year. Troopers say List obtained resident fishing and hunting benefits in Alaska prior to qualifying as one and took three deer under invalid licenses.
And on Oct. 27, Sitka resident Justin Eberhard, age 42, pleaded guilty to one count each of unlawful possession of commercial king salmon and unlawful possession of halibut. According to wildlife trooper reports, Eberhard, permit holder on fishing vessel Surf Bay, retained king salmon after the commercial closure and also kept halibut taken on commercial power troll gear. The court fined him $2,250 and ordered him to pay $750 in restitution to the state. He’s on probation for one year.
