New Pincher Creek Fish and Wildlife Officer Paul Johnson on the job

District Fish and Wildlife Officer Paul Johnson

Toni Lucas

Fish and Wildlife Officer Paul Johnson has joined Pincher Creek District, working out of a second floor office in the Provincial Building on Main Street as of September 29. He moved here with his wife Lindsey and their 9 month old son. "I have been full time with Fish and Wildlife for the last six years," said Johnson, who explained he worked seasonally for the department for years before that. "I spent the last six years of my career in the Lac La Biche District, about 2.5 hours north east of Edmonton. This is a change for myself. A totally different day-to-day set of challenges." Johnson mentioned the differences included climate, topography, waterway systems, and species he's responsible for. "Obviously there are creeks instead of lakes, and here we have another challenge, grizzlies. A big part of my day since I have gotten here has been dealing with human-wildlife conflict, and bears. This time of year, they are slaves to their stomachs. If there is a food source available, they are going to go for it."





"A concern right now is the community of Lundbreck, and the ornamental apple trees. The community members are really good about trying to get these apples picked, but at the end of the day the trees are tall and so many a person can't get to. The citizens have been really good about trying to reduce the attractants. It is what it is. The bears are hungry, and if the apples are available you are going to have a conflict. The bears are fattening up for winter. Come November the numbers will drop off quite a bit, because they will go into winter hibernation. This time of year, the bears are the ones causing a lot of the issues." Johnson mentioned that the peak times for bear issues are just after they leave the dens in the spring, and in the fall as they fatten up before going into the dens.

"We did have an interesting one this morning," said Johnson on Wednesday, October 8. Johnson said they caught and removed a hammock from the antlers of a mule deer outside of town. "It could kind of run, but it was tripping a lot. We cornered it into the fence. Myself, Matt (Conservation Officer Matt Voramwald) from Parks, and Maria (Wildlife Biologist Maria Didkowsky) from the Blairmore office wrestled this one down and managed to get the hammock off. It made for an interesting morning. You never know what's coming."