Written by James Ryan
According to the Canadian Press, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar, and his friend, Chad Stryker, were both charged with three counts in contravention to the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Act.
The charges included the improper affixation of tags, the spoilage of skin and edible flesh, and the possession of a controlled animal. Beyond that, details are fairly limited.
Also, both men were apparently supposed to appear in court today in Medicine Hat, Alberta, but neither of them bothered to show up.
Their case has now been put over until January 19, 2012, which is good news for UFC fans, as the proceedings will not interfere with Lesnar’s appearance at UFC 141 on December 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as he takes on former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion, Alistair Overeem.
Other fights on that card will include:
Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone
Jon Fitch vs Johny Hendricks
Dong Hyun Kim vs Sean Pierson (Canadian)
Personally, I have no issues with hunting, so long as the animal is being used for legitimate purposes. Example: food.
But by the sounds of it, Lesnar was neither planning to eat the animal, nor was he respecting Canada’s right to protect certain animals from being hunted in the first place.
Here’s an idea, Brock…if you’re going to go around killing animals just for the sake of killing them (isn’t that generally how serial killers get started?)—please do it in your own country. Thank you.
FORMER UFC CHAMP LESNAR PLEADS GUILTY TO ALBERTA HUNTING CHARGE
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has admitted to a hunting infraction in southern Alberta.
A lawyer for the mixed martial arts star appeared in a Medicine Hat court and pleaded guilty on his client’s behalf to improper tagging of an animal during a hunting trip in November 2010.
Lesnar was fined $1,725 and given a six-month hunting suspension.
Two other charges of leaving meat to rot and illegal possession of wildlife were dropped.
Lesnar, 34, was accused by fish and wildlife officials of shooting a mule deer buck but only packing the trophy head out.
The director of the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society said it is considered unethical to leave edible meat in the field.
The former NCAA wrestling champion and pro wrestling star was charged along with a hunting guide.
A native of South Dakota who now makes his home in Minnesota, the six-foot-three 265-pound Lesnar regularly hunts in Canada.
Lesnar said in a statement released Tuesday that he was on a filmed hunt sponsored by Fusion Ammunition and guided by Trophy Hunters Alberta.
“In Alberta, Americans can’t hunt without a licensed outfitter. The outfitter is there to make sure you follow the rules,” he said.
“I had two deer tags for the trip which meant I could legally shoot two deer. On the first day of the trip, I shot a mule deer. On the second day, I shot a white tail. Video from the hunt has been on the Internet for over a year. After I shot the mule deer, I failed to immediately tag it. As far as I was involved, that’s all there is to it.”
Lesnar said he has paid his fine and the matter is closed.
“It’s the kind of thing that happens to hunters all the time. I want to thank the Canadian authorities for their co-operation in resolving this misunderstanding. I love Canada and I can’t wait to go back to Alberta for a hunt.”
As far as the spoilage charge that was withdrawn, Lesnar said he couldn’t bring deer meat back across the border.
“I trusted the outfitter to properly handle it. They are professionals and I understand it was handled appropriately.”
His fighting career has twice been interrupted by diverticulitis, an intestinal disease. Lesnar returns to the cage Dec. 30 when he takes on Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 in Las Vegas.
“I’m glad to put this behind me, so I can focus on my fight…December 30,” he said.