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RCMP accuse man of organizing illegal bison hunt on farm in southern Manitoba

RUSSELL — A man is facing charges after RCMP say six bison were illegally killed and removed from a farm in southwestern Manitoba.
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A 52-year-old man is facing charges after RCMP say six bison were illegally killed and removed from a farm in southwestern Manitoba. A lone bull wood bison grazes alongside the Mackenzie Highway near Fort Providence, N.W.T., on Sept. 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Braden

RUSSELL — A man is facing charges after RCMP say six bison were illegally killed and removed from a farm in southwestern Manitoba.

Mounties in the Rural Municipality of Russell-Binscarth spoke Monday with the farm owner, who had noticed locks on gates to his pasture had been removed and replaced with new ones.

Some bison were also missing.

RCMP say video from trail cameras in the area show four trespassers had driven onto the property, shot the animals and removed them.

Officers later learned about a social media post advertising a bison hunt for $1,000 per animal at the property.

Police say they have spoken with three people who hunted bison at the farm believing it was legitimately organized by the owner.

A 52-year-old man from Portage la Prairie is facing charges of theft over $5,000 and mischief over $5,000, and RCMP say more charges could be laid.

The accused is expected to appear in court in January.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press