Judge Slams “Imposter” Influencer with $50k in Fines and Decade-Long Ban 🤳

As we continue to slowly inch back towards the weekend, let’s all take a minute to grab a coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and get into what this beautiful Tuesday has to offer.

Here's what's worth reading about so far this week:

A LIFETIME BAN WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
FROM INSTAGRAM STAR TO “IMPOSTER”: JUDGE SLAMS ARROGANT POACHER WITH $50K IN FINES AND A DECADE-LONG BAN

A British Columbia man and self-described backcountry hunting influencer has been hit with a hefty $50,000 fine and a decade-long hunting ban after pleading guilty to multiple offenses under British Columbia's Wildlife Act. Daniel Gazzola, 33, admitted to a series of illegal hunting activities that conservation officers say endangered wildlife and public safety.

The case, which unfolded in Kamloops provincial court, stems from an investigation launched by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) back in 2023. In true influencer fashion, authorities were tipped off in part by Gazzola's own social media posts showcasing his hunts, which raised red flags about potential violations. 

"Social media can be a double-edged sword for those engaging in outdoor activities," said a BCCOS spokesperson in a statement. "While it allows people to share their experiences, it also provides valuable evidence when laws are broken."

🪱 Silent Killer Invades Alberta as Deadly Brain Worm Claims First Moose and Caribou Victims. A deadly parasitic nematode known as the meningeal worm or brainworm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) has been confirmed in Alberta for the first time, posing a significant threat to moose, elk, and caribou populations. Native to eastern North America, the worm lives harmlessly in white-tailed deer, residing in the meninges (tissues surrounding the brain) where it lays eggs that pass through the bloodstream, lungs, and feces without causing illness. Larvae in deer feces infect snails and slugs, which serve as intermediate hosts. When moose, elk, caribou, or other aberrant hosts accidentally ingest these infected gastropods while browsing, the larvae migrate to the spinal cord and brain, causing severe neurological damage, inflammation, and often death within weeks or months.

In late 2024, Alberta wildlife officials identified the parasite in five caribou and one moose from the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range in the northeastern part of the province. Previously thought unlikely to reach the drier, colder western regions, the worm appears to be spreading along moist boreal forest edges, with nearby Saskatchewan showing about 10% prevalence in tested white-tailed deer.

This emergence adds pressure to already declining populations of these species, compounding threats like chronic wasting disease and habitat changes. The Alberta government is responding with awareness campaigns for symptom recognition and expanded testing of white-tailed deer heads submitted for CWD monitoring in the northeast.

🙏 Elderly Husband Dies After Rare Deer Attack on Couple in Wisconsin Yard. In a rare wildlife incident in the Town of Stephenson, Wisconsin, an elderly married couple was attacked by a deer in their yard last Tuesday afternoon. The Marinette County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of the deer "going after" the couple, though specific details about the nature of the attack or any injuries sustained have not been released. Authorities described deer attacks on humans as extremely uncommon, noting that while deer can act unpredictably—especially during the fall rutting season when bucks may become more aggressive—such events are exceptional.

Tragically, the husband passed away later, but officials stated that his death was not believed to be directly caused by injuries from the deer encounter. The wife’s condition has not been disclosed and the incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office, the Marinette County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, with no further details being shared at this time. A neighbor described the situation as "just crazy," highlighting the shock in the quiet community.

🫆 Forest Ranger Defends Amish Hunters After Brazen Theft of Once-in-a-Lifetime Buck. Last week we reported on the peculiar theft of a trophy whitetail In Perry County, Pennsylvania, after an Amish hunting party experienced a frustrating loss while hunting in Tuscarora State Forest. The group lawfully harvested a impressive nine-point "lifetime" buck, described as a small-bodied mountain deer with very dark, almost black antlers scoring potentially 150-160 inches (originally a 10-pointer before damage), during rifle season. They properly tagged and field-dressed the animal before stashing it behind a tree along a pipeline off Wolf Road in Toboyne Township, as they lacked immediate vehicle access and planned to retrieve it later with hired transportation.

When the hunters returned, the buck was gone, apparently dragged to a nearby road and loaded into a vehicle. Following initial social media reports of the incident, misinformation spread online, with some blaming the hunters for leaving the deer unattended. Forest Ranger Steven Shaffer has since come out and clarified that this is a common and fully legal practice for properly tagged game when transportation isn't immediately available, especially for groups without vehicles like the Amish. He emphasized that the hunters "didn't do anything wrong" and are victims of the crime, while stressing that the theft itself was unlawful regardless of the buck's trophy status. The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Tuscarora State Forest Rangers are still investigating the theft, with no leads identified yet.

🧸 Momma bear never clocks out. Watch as this momma bear springs into action to protect her cubs catch from this young rival.

Never mind momma, I ain’t even going to try and snag one from one of those cubs…

Oh, and one more thing…