Discarded carcasses cause concern for Burmis residents

Part of carcass found in Burmis area parking lot
C. Davis photos

Chris Davis, Crowsnest Voice

Burmis area residents Eva and Dave Welsh expressed their concerns after discovering the discarded carcasses of geese, mallards, and a larger animal (possibly elk) in the parking lot of a popular day-use fishing area west of their home. The area is part of the Municipal District of Pincher Creek but is very close to the border of neighbouring Municipality of Crowsnest Pass. Trout Unlimited has a recreational  lease at the site and the lake is stocked for fishing. It is fished year round, with ice fishing in the winter.


According to Eva and Dave this is the second time that carcasses have been left there in the last month. "They left 6 geese and a similar number of mallards," said Eva. "What they've done is just take the breasts out. This was still when the season was open. They didn't want the whole bird, but according to regulations they are supposed to take it home, and dress it at home," elaborated Dave. "They left it at the parking lot again," continued Eva. "And when we went out two days ago, there was what we think was an elk, either a huge deer or an elk, in the parking lot, at exactly the same place the birds were left."

Expressing their concern for the safety of themselves and their pets, Dave said "There are cougars in the area. You don't want to attract additional ones. It's no good for the people around, and it's no good for the cougars, as they get into trouble, and contact with people."

"That's a parking lot," said Eva. "We get a lot of fishermen that fish all year-round, of course they park up there, and then go down to the river. It's not a safe place to leave stuff like that."

The couple also expressed incredulity that the bird carcasses were tossed on the ground instead of into nearby metal garbage receptacles.

The couple has lived at their Burmis home since 1996, and say this is the first time they've had this problem. "These are the first two we've ever seen up there. They shouldn't be left in the parking lot. That's just somebody just getting rid of them. And the season is over."

The couple say they contacted Fish and Wildlife, Hillcrest Fish and Game, Crowsnest Conservation Society, MD of Pincher Creek, and Trout Unlimited. "Fish and Wildlife said this is very common, and it's always along the roads," said Eva.

"If one of us is attacked, and we happen to kill one of the animals, we are the ones that get into trouble, when other people are bringing them out," she continued.

The couple would like to see the carcasses disposed of in the forestry "Where it will do the animals some good."

MD of Pincher Creek Agricultural Fieldman Shane Poulsen was contacted by the couple. He said it was out of the norm for hunters to dispose of carcasses in a public area. "We consider it a littering problem," Poulsen told me. "Public Works will go out and clean it up."