ALTA. MAN FINED FOR HUNTING WHILE STONED ON MARIJUANA

DIDSBURY, Alta. -- A central Alberta hunter may have bagged a record fine
for hunting while high on marijuana, wildlife officers say.

Patrick Allan Mitchell, 38, of Blackfalds, Alta., was ordered to pay $1,800
after pleading guilty in Didsbury provincial court to charges of hunting
while impaired by a drug. He must also pay an additional $115 fine for a
weapons offence.

"We think it is one of the highest fines ever levied in the province for
hunting while impaired by a drug," said wildlife officer Jim Mitchell.
"It's obvious from the fine that this kind of activity, where it's a danger
to the public, will not be tolerated."

Patrick Mitchell was stopped at a Fish and Wildlife checkstop near
Burnstick Lake northwest of Sundre on Nov. 13, 2004.

Wildlife officers said they smelled drugs, and a further check of
Mitchell's vehicle revealed that he had smoked marijuana while out hunting
deer.

"He was in the process of hunting when he was checked," Jim Mitchell said.

In addition to the fines, Mitchell is prohibited from hunting for three years.