Troopers Say Three Men Used Spotlight To Take Out-Of-Season Moose

From KYUK Public Media, three men are facing charges of killing an out-of-season moose:

Troopers wrote in a dispatch notice that they discovered a video on Oct. 14, 2023 of a moose being spotlighted with an artificial light before being shot by someone from a boat.

The Wildlife Troopers said that they used search warrants to determine that three men from Pilot Station took an antlered bull moose in early October on Driftwood Slough, part of the state’s Game Management Unit 18 Remainder. The kill happened outside the state-designated moose season, which closed on Sept. 30. Troopers said that it also happened at night, using a handheld spotlight, which violates state hunting regulations.

Here’s also the full Alaska State Troopers dispatch:

AK23113086

Location: Pilot Station

Type: Take Moose Closed Season

Dispatch Text:

On October 14, 2023, while working on an unrelated case, AWT Bethel discovered a video of a moose being shined with an artificial light before being shot by someone from a boat. Utilizing multiple search warrants, investigation revealed Brandon Alick age 34 of Pilot Station, Jason Norton age 25 of Pilot Station, and Noel Polty age 29 of Pilot Station, took an antlered bull moose on October 2, 2023, on Driftwood Slough in GMU 18 Remainder. The season for antlered bulls had closed on September 30, 2023. Investigation also determined the moose was killed in the dark, utilizing a handheld spotlight. The moose was then transported back to Pilot Station by boat. 

On February 29, 2024, AWT Bethel issued Alick, Norton, and Polty citations for taking the moose during a closed season, taking big game with artificial light, and unlawful possession/transportation of big game. The spotlight and moose were seized as evidence of the crimes. Arraignment was set for March 14, 2024, in the Emmonak Court.