I have one final note. Thanks for not bringing a TV crew. >> I'm not bringing a TV crew. >> I'm They're not going to ride with me. >> On April 6th, 2025, Alaska Wildlife Troopers received a report that a cellular camera photographed an individual placing bear bait on a local trail 9 days before the start of the baiting season. The reporting party was able to see an ATV along with a barrel commonly used to bait bears. The next day, two troopers went out to the reported location and discovered various baits including dog food, cut up apples, honey, and more. Despite two troopers searching the area, they were unable to locate any bear bait permits posted in the area. The troopers set up a cellular trail camera and left the area. On April 15th, the troopers returned to the area to check on the site and found that a camera showed a single white male tending to the bait site before spotting the camera and walking towards it. The next day, a second camera was placed to capture an image of the operator of the ATV. Two days later, the trooper received a call from the reporting party and was able to make contact with the suspect. >> Well, that barrel's been out there way too early. >> I thought you could put We put it out on I registered on the 4th. >> Okay. >> And we put it out on the 5th. >> I need to see your registration. >> You have to articulate what we did wrong. >> And your bait was out early. I needed I need I need your registration cuz the bait's been out there early. Trees been knocked over since then. I have cameras out there watching your stuff going on, okay? >> I didn't put We didn't We went up Okay, here's the >> Sir, stop. ID number one. >> I don't know if we have to do that. >> Yes, you do. >> I suspect that I did something wrong. >> Yes, I am suspecting you of criminal activity. >> Okay. >> Baiting early is a misdemeanor violation. >> We didn't put no bait out. We put the We registered it on the 4th. >> Okay. You have your paper registration. >> I'm sure. >> Okay. Let's see. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> When I registered it on the 4th, we went up on the 5th to put the barrel out. There's nothing in the regs that says we can't. I got the regs right here. Yeah, the barrel can go out, but the bait >> Yeah, the barrel can go out, but the bait couldn't go out. >> And when we put it up there, I didn't have those with me on the 5th. So, I went back up the following weekend to put it out, and I noticed that there was bait in the barrel, and I saw the camera on the tree. >> Okay. >> And I got sidetracked. I didn't put it out. So, I went back up there today >> So, the You went up on the 5th, right? >> Exactly. >> Okay. The first time you put the barrel out. >> That when we put it out on the 5th. >> Okay. And you took no bait with you. >> No. >> Even though my pictures say different. >> Well, it shows the pictures shows different. >> Okay, why'd you pull it down? >> Cuz we went up there today, the tree was blown over >> Okay. >> 2 years ago, and you can see on my barrel 2 years ago, my my bait site was been had been harassed. And I couldn't go up there. I didn't go up there last year. I had a major operation on my back. So, we went up there this year today we were going to bait it. The tree was blown over, the camera was there. Somebody been harassed. So, we took it out. >> Okay, is my camera still there? Is my camera still there? >> We didn't touch your camera. You're more than welcome to look right here. >> No, I'm saying is my camera still there in one piece as it was? >> We didn't touch your camera. >> Better not. Okay. So, as of this point I haven't seen the bait registration site out there. >> Okay. >> Right? Does it need to be posted out there? >> What's that? >> Does the bait station site need to be posted out there before you put bait out? >> It said It says on the regs It says in the regs it does not need to be on the tree. It just needs to be in the general area. >> Okay, where was it? Cuz I sure couldn't find it. >> I just told you. We went up there on the 5th, we put this out, and I forgot that. >> Okay. >> So, we went up I went up the following weekend to put it out, and that's when I saw bait in the barrel, and I saw the camera on the tree and I forgot all about that and I turned around and I left. Okay. And when we went back up today, we were going to bait it and when we got there we saw the tree blown over. The camera was still on the tree. >> So, who would put bait in your barrel? >> I Who would do that? >> Some Some Some bait fairy comes out there and put bait in >> Well, this [laughter] is Now, a couple of years ago there was some other folks that were And you can see this this marks in the area. There's marks on the barrel from 2 years ago. >> Okay. >> And we didn't use it last year because I had major surgery on my back. And that's it. >> Okay. Okay. >> This Friday we registered on the 4th which was >> Friday? >> Nope. We went back to >> So, I haven't seen I haven't seen the registration out there since I've been up there three times now. Okay. >> It was It wasn't there. >> Okay, bait's been out there and you knew that bait was out there and you've left it out there past that. >> We didn't put no bait. We put the barrel out there. >> You You put the barrel out there and went back up on the 5th you knew there's bait in there. Somebody magically put bait in your barrel on the 5th and That's what you told me. >> Huh? >> That's what you just told me that somebody magically put bait in your barrel on the 5th. >> I didn't say that. I said we didn't put no bait in there. We went up today to bait it. >> Okay. >> The tree was blown over. So, we just pulled our stuff. We decided to forget it. It was That was 2 years ago. So, we just said >> Was that reported to the troopers? >> I'm sorry? >> Was that harassment reported to the troopers 2 years ago? >> It was not. >> Okay. And so, that never happened. >> Well, that's your word against mine. >> Well, I'm just >> You can look right on the barrel and you'll see it says yes, thank you. Thank you. >> I seen that on there. >> Okay. >> No. >> That's been on there for 2 years. >> Okay. All right. Um so, from what I got so far is when I went up there, there's bait in the barrel. >> Why? >> And the magic bait fairy that is only your barrel from the day you took it up to the next day came up there and put bait in it. >> can't answer for it. We went up today to bait it. Plenty of bait there. That's what we were going to do today. I can't answer for that. >> Okay. >> I can't answer for that. >> But signs been up there. >> Exactly. >> So, >> So, from what I can tell here, one of my half miles up Bald Mountain Trail Bald Mountain Trail was starts down over on >> Well, I've been hunting this trail for probably 20 years and it's to get up on Bald Mountain. As far as I know, this is the Bald Mountain Trail to me. >> Okay. Um You have phone? >> Do I have a phone? >> Yeah, up-to-date phone? >> Have an up-to-date phone? >> Do you have an up-to-date phone, like an iPhone? >> Sure. >> Okay. Does it have capabilities of showing GPS locations? >> I don't know how to do that. >> Okay. Very good. >> I'm a I'm a maintenance mechanic guy. I'm not a computer guy. >> That's very fun. Okay. Um again, this wasn't bait station was not labeled at all. >> The bait station was not labeled at all. >> I No, you're absolutely You're absolutely right. >> needs to be done soon as this is up. >> Sure. >> In a visible spot that we can see it obvious. Not Not Not hiding behind I shouldn't have to It does not say that. But I should not have to go searching around trees looking for a sign somewhere. >> Well, I'm sorry. It doesn't say that. It says just needs to be in the general area. If >> General area. Right. I I shouldn't as a trooper or anybody else that's fishing game have to go searching around every tree looking for a sign, right? >> All right. I could have lied to you and said yes, we put it up there. The bears took it off. But I'm not going to lie to you. We didn't put it up there. We went to the day to put bait in it. I was going to put those out. You can see >> I see you got it in today. >> And we got up there the tree was knocked over. The barrel was knocked over. >> The windstorm knocked that tree good. >> We just took We just took it off. >> Okay. So, again, let's >> We didn't leave anything up there. >> So, >> bit of dog food. It's all biodegradable. >> Oh, yeah. You went up there on the 6th with your barrel. >> I'm sorry? >> You went up there on the 6th with your barrel. >> Well, I can look on my phone and >> I I got it here with all the dog food and everything in here. >> Okay. All right. >> That's you with your barrel on the 6th heading up trail with the dog food and and the same stuff that was out there. Amazing. >> Well, it's right here. >> Yeah. Different bag. >> How's that? >> Completely different bag. >> What are you talking about? >> It's a completely different bag. Then what you have here. >> The bait went out early. Big deal, right? The bait went out early. Big deal. Right? >> Well, it obviously is. You guys put cameras all over the place up there. >> I put one camera up. >> Well, there's multiple cameras up there. >> But one camera. >> There's cameras up There's cameras all over that trail. >> Other people are out here. Like, how do you think I get tips? >> Sure. You want me to be honest with you, then you need to be honest with us. >> I am. >> Okay. All right. >> I got a tip that you guys are taking bait out early. I went and investigated it, and yes, there's bait out early. I got shown pictures of the tip from trails along the cameras along the trail. I've got one camera sitting on the bait pile. >> Okay. Well, there's multiple cameras along that trail. >> That's not illegal. >> Okay. >> You can have a cameras out along if you're not hunting over them. Okay? But the bait was way too early, man. I know it was an early season this year. >> You know what I mean? >> Okay. I put it out there. >> I know. It's not a big deal. I'm not going to rush you. I'm not seizing the stuff about there. If the lies are going to continue, I probably was looking towards seizing stuff. >> Okay. Well, everything was true except for that part. Everything was true. The dates are true, the times are true, all that. >> I know. I didn't see this out there. >> Yeah. And And let me tell you why. Cuz >> You The descriptions on here is fine. You don't have to have an exact spot on here how ADF&G says. >> Well, as far as I'm concerned, it's a mile and a half up for me. >> It is. >> I've been hunting with the boys up here for many, many years, and to me, that's the Bald Mountain Trail. >> Yeah. Okay. Then that >> And it's to the left of the trail. >> Okay. >> So, >> you know, and again, it's not the crime of the century. You know, no bears were taken out of season or anything like that. >> And we weren't going to do that. >> No, I'm not saying you were. I'm just saying again it's baiting early. It's like fishing It's like fishing without a license. >> Okay, so what what are we going to What are we going to do here? >> So it'll be a citation. >> Okay. >> It'll be easy as that. But just taking a quick pic for my stuff. But are my cameras left alone? >> We didn't We didn't touch anything. >> The only reason I'm saying that is if they're destroyed cuz I'm going to be go back up there. If they're destroyed now we're looking at other charges for destruction of property. >> We didn't We didn't touch it. >> Okay. Okay. And that's fair. >> We didn't We didn't touch it. >> Appreciate Again, Trooper Wright. Let's start this over. I came in hot because I knew that you guys were almost out of here. You know, I got call "Hey, they're up here." Guess what? I'm coming. All right. >> Okay. >> Not to criminate you. Any I'm leaving this one person. I'm not involved in two as conspiracy or any of that stuff, all right? Leave it to one. All right. Any prior violations with us I should be aware of? With fishing game overall. >> No, many many many years ago, I don't know if you know a guy named Cody Lessner. >> I've heard the name, but many years. >> years ago he cited me for leaving plastic containers on my bait. >> Okay. >> And then few years after that, my daughter had shot his first bear and we didn't leave evidence of natural sex naturally attached. >> That's why I'm not feeding you. >> Okay. But that that that didn't go towards you. >> almost that's 20-some years ago. >> Okay. All right. And so nothing in the last 10, I'm going to say. Okay, cool. All right. Let me check some stuff. Like I said, this is a ticket. Okay. >> But it was getting to the point where this was going to be mine real soon until I figured it out. It was on a cameras. was being used in the commission of the crime. >> Okay. >> That's an expensive machine to be giving up for a fake, right? >> Okay. All right. >> So >> Yep. No problem. >> [clears throat] >> Cool. >> Yes, sir. I'm I'm retired GI. 22 years in the military. >> Okay. >> And if you're just going to give me a ticket I got to be I got to be truthful with you. I can't sleep without doing that. >> All right. >> We went up [clears throat] there today. >> Mhm. >> And I didn't know whose cameras they were cuz they're not identified. >> Okay. >> So we took a uh cut-off grinder and we cut the cable. >> Okay. >> All right. We took the SD card out. And we left the camera and the cable and the lock right at the base of the tree. >> Okay. >> Okay. And on the way down we got the other one at the top of the hill. >> Okay. >> And we took the SD card out of that. The camera's still there. We didn't We didn't do anything with that. >> Where's my SD cards? >> They're stuffed in my hole. >> Okay. >> So we didn't we didn't I got I got to be I got to be truthful with >> I I highly appreciate that cuz if I went up there and find it >> Yeah, you you cut me a break on the ticket like you said that I could be I'll be truthful. >> Okay. >> We didn't we didn't damage the camera, we didn't do nothing. We left everything right there. >> Cable's damaged the only thing. >> What's that? >> The only thing damaged is my cable. >> Yeah, we just cut the cable to take it down. >> So there's two cameras, one that was >> One on the big tree. >> Okay. >> And then one at the top of the hill on that little pine tree. >> Okay. >> Yeah. And they're they're both still there. We didn't we didn't damage nothing, we didn't we just left them. >> Okay. >> All right. >> Um you know those are cell cameras. >> What's that? >> You know that's a cell camera. It sends pictures all the way up until the moment that they go down. >> Yeah, I'm sure you got us going up that hill. >> Yeah, but they're cell cameras so they show every action that was taken and stuff like that. So I appreciate the honesty and I'm going >> I got to I got to I can show you my retired ID card. I'm a disabled vet. >> Well, then >> that that should tell you in the head I shouldn't do this stuff. Something's up here, you know. If I got cameras out here. >> Well, yeah. Well, I got a little >> Something's going on. >> Yeah, I got a little cuz like I said, I've been using that bait for a long time. And 2 years ago we got in some harassment up there. >> That's That's what we're here for. >> Well, >> That's where we can >> I like to not involve you guys as much as possible. >> But that's our job. >> Um Well, we I've been baiting up here for like I said, this feeding when this used to be feeding dry with dog feeding. We used to go out to the street and his driveway. And last year I had major I can show you this card. I had major back surgery. We didn't come up here last year. We went up here this year. I registered it on the 4th. >> Right. >> And when we came up to put the stuff out, >> Mhm. >> I forgot my my registration. And then when I came up last weekend to put the registration up, >> Yep. >> I saw that camera there. I was like, "Shh." And there was some guys in here that have a truck a black Dodge truck that says hunt 907. >> Okay. >> 907 hunt. And a couple years ago there were some guys up here harassing some of my friends. >> Okay. >> And so I thought maybe it was them guys. When I came out, I left a note on this truck. >> Mhm. >> I said, "Please next time park off to side so you won't take up the parking lot." >> Yep. >> And I said, "If that's your camera looking over my bait barrel, please remove it." >> Okay. >> So we came up here just today to put bait out. And when we got up there the tree smashed on the ground. So we just took our barrel and everything with >> Yep. >> We cleaned up we cleaned There was We We took that The only thing we left out there that was plastic was that syrup bottle. >> Okay. >> We took that. And there is some dog food on the ground. It's all biodegradable. >> It'll be gone within a day with the I appreciate that. >> All right. >> I'll deal with I'm not going to go after anything with that. >> I got a couple SD cards you can have. They're brand new. >> That might be a fair trade. >> Yeah. We didn't uh We didn't you >> might be a fair >> All right. >> thing right there. Okay. I don't even remember what size they were. >> Okay. >> So. >> Here's my my ID card. >> We trust you, man. I believe you on that. I can tell by who you are. >> So, what what do you need? Let's we can get it right here and hash it out right now. What do you need? >> No, it's nothing you can do. >> Uh-huh. >> It's something that I have to deal with my computer cuz this is Our system is set up for everyday things that they see everyday. It's not set up for the odd stuff. >> Okay. >> So, I got to get it set up for the odd stuff. So, I'm going to come issue you a citation in a couple days. >> Okay. >> Make it easy that way. All right. >> All right. >> So, we won't have the paperwork today. >> I'll be home I'll be home Tuesday afternoon. I got to pick up like I said I got to pick up two batches of honey bees >> Okay. >> Monday evening. Yeah, I don't I don't got nothing going on. >> Okay. All right. I'll I'll give you a call before I come. That way I make sure. >> I probably won't answer cuz my ringer on my phone is is never on. So, I'll just expect you 7:00 Monday. >> Sure. >> All right. >> Yeah, that works for me. >> All right. Okay. >> Cool. Let me get out of your way. You guys are all set. Um >> So, what's going to come What's going to come of all this? >> I'm issuing two citations. All right. One for the baiting early and one for failing to put the permit up. That's it. They're But, they are mandatory court appearances. Okay. So, it's not a set fine that's out there. It's something that we have to go in front of a judge. And what are all the mandatory court appearances like in the rain? Hey, judge, these are two charges brought against me. Guilty not guilty. Um I put in the court recommendation sheet saying what we would like out of it. One of them is not going to be loss of hunting privileges. One of them is not going to be loss of the equipment that was used out there. It's going to be just a monetary fine at that point. Okay? >> Okay. Yeah, no I um like I said, we went up there on the 5th. We put food in it. I forgotten my my registration. But, it is it is registered. It was registered on the 4th. >> Okay. >> So, I went back up the following weekend to do that. >> Yep. >> And then I saw the camera on the tree. You probably got a picture of me standing there taking a leak. >> I don't see the leak part, but yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> It Everything didn't come out, okay? I didn't see everything. >> It's not big enough anymore to come out. >> Where Yeah. >> Yeah. And then we went back up today and put bait out and we >> So >> We didn't we didn't do that. >> Is this yours? >> But your camera and cable and everything is laying right behind that same tree. >> Sounds good. I just So, we have a map system that these go on. >> What's that? >> So, I have a like an interactive [clears throat] map system that when these get registered, it goes into there so I can look at it. Um where this is at it it does not even show anything where where that's at. You know, if I'm pulling up bear baits on my >> know if that trail is on your stuff or not. >> Um if I pull up my interact This is not my interact. This is where your bait station is up here. You know, you can see there's other bait stations around there. >> You mean them guys bait stations not have >> These are These are older and current. >> Okay. >> So, they're older ones and current ones. >> Okay, there's a bait station You go up there >> Yep. >> [clears throat] >> and you get into that swamp that's got them nice birch trees in it? >> Mhm. >> He says there's another bait station up there. He's got his He's got his things wrapped with two wires. >> Okay. >> And it's that guy that was in here with the black Dodge last week. It says hunt 907 on his leg. And I got a picture of that. >> Okay. >> Cuz I thought he was the one that put the camera up there. >> Fair enough. Yep. >> Because my barrel been been harassed 2 years ago. So, and come with my friends uh had a bait barrel right in that little swamp with the birch trees and he said somebody was harassing him. >> Got it. >> So, I don't know if it's these same guys or not. >> And that's You're not the first hunter that I have to deal with this year, bear hunter, that's saying people who harassed him over the years. Um I dealt with another guy who had cell phone cameras up on his bear bait station. They took a bear off of which that makes that bear illegal when you're using cell phone cameras. And he's like, "Well, I have them out there cuz people with my bait." It's like, "Stop. That's when you call us cuz I legally can put the camera out there where you can't." And I can get this stuff or I can get out there and go hunt it, you know, undercover or something like that and help you guys out. I don't want these people >> think about that, you know. We think of you guys as as causing problems. >> I understand. >> Or we're making a bad situation worse. >> We're trying to make it better for you. I don't care if you made a mistake. We all make mistakes. But I don't want the people out there screwing everybody else off. We're out here to help, you know. That's You know, if you're running a trap line and people are screwing off your traps, instead of going out there flipping their traps cuz they're on the same trap line, well, now you just committed a crime. >> Yeah, that's >> Call us and we can start working with it. >> Yeah, that was That's what was suggested this morning. I said, "No, that don't make us any better than them." >> Right. >> So, but yeah, um >> Okay. I'll meet up with you. >> About 7:00 Monday night. >> 7:00 Monday night sounds good. Yeah. >> All right. And then one final note. Thanks for not bringing a TV crew. >> I'm not bringing a TV crew. I'm They're not going to ride with me. They're not going to ride with me. I like to work in the shadows. >> All right. I'll expect you guys at 7:00 Monday night. >> All right. Sounds good. If anything comes up, I'll give you a call. And expect it to be a blocked number cuz I might have to go >> number's blocked also. So, it'd probably be better if you send me a text message. >> Got it. >> All right. >> I might cuz it we might get called to something else. >> Yeah, sure. Cuz a lot of times I don't even have my phone on me. It's in the house or something like that. Cuz a lot of times I don't even have my phone on me. It's in the house or something like that. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. Thanks a lot. Sorry for your troubles. >> All right. >> In the end, the suspect received two criminal charges, one for failing to display the permits at a bear bait site and another for baiting a site without proper permitting. Both charges were later amended to non-criminal violations by the court and he was found guilty of both after entering a guilty plea. He was ordered to pay a total of $690.10 in costs and fines, which he later paid. If you like this video and want to see more like it, subscribe to Arrest Cam. As always, thanks for watching. >> [music]