🦅 American Fugitive Charged with Eagle Poaching in Alberta: Inside the Multi‑Province Wildlife Crime Investigation

Senior Investigative Journalist – North Hunt & Fish Club. An American fugitive facing charges with multiple offenses has captured public attention, sparking widespread discussion.

📌 Why “American Fugitive Charged with Eagle Poaching in Alberta” Is a National Wake‑Up Call

The arrest of an American fugitive charged with eagle poaching in Alberta has sent shockwaves through conservation circles, Indigenous communities, and law enforcement agencies across North America.

According to Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services (FWES), five individuals — including U.S. citizen Simon Paul of Montana — face 43 combined charges under Alberta’s Wildlife Act and the Criminal Code of Canada.

The allegations? A grisly trade in eagle parts, black bear claws, and other protected wildlife products — some freshly removed from carcasses, making the American fugitive a significant concern.

🕵️‍♂️ How the American Fugitive Charged with Eagle Poaching in Alberta Was Caught

The investigation began in August 2024, when FWES received a tip that Paul had fled the U.S., where he was wanted for killing and trafficking bald and golden eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

By November, reports surfaced that he was actively killing eagles on the Stoney Nakoda and Eden Valley First Nations. Undercover officers infiltrated the network, purchasing items linked to the fugitive’s activities:

• A bald eagle feather headdress
• Black bear claw necklaces
• A raptor talon dance stick

🚨 March 2025: The Cochrane Sting Operation

In March, a separate tip led officers to Paul and co‑accused Eli Snow allegedly shooting eagles and hawks from a truck near Cochrane, Alberta.

Search warrants uncovered evidence directly implicating the American fugitive: his charges were more severe each day.

• Multiple freshly removed eagle feet with talons
• Feathers, blood, and other raptor parts
• Unsecured firearms

🪶 Cultural Context: Why Eagle Parts Are Targeted

Eagles hold deep spiritual significance for many Indigenous peoples. As Blackfoot researcher Iskotoah’ka William Wadsworth explains, eagle feathers are “a powerful source of spirituality and guidance”.

In Alberta, Indigenous people with treaty or Métis harvesting rights can apply for eagle parts for ceremonial use — but selling or trading them is illegal.

⚖️ The Charges Facing the American Fugitive in Alberta

The accused face charges including multiple offenses tied to the activities of the fugitive:

• Hunting wildlife for which there is no open season
• Unlawful possession and trafficking of wildlife
• Possession for the purpose of unlawful trafficking
• Providing false or misleading information to officers
• Careless transportation and storage of firearms

🌍 Why This Case Matters Beyond Alberta

Wildlife crime is a transboundary issue. The demand for eagle parts fuels black markets across North America, threatening already vulnerable raptor populations, so having an American fugitive charged is a wake-up call regarding the cross-border implications.

Colin Weir of the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation warns that poaching is “a recurring problem that just won’t go away” due to high demand for feathers and talons.

🛡️ How to Help Stop Eagle Poaching in Alberta

• Report suspicious activity to Alberta’s Poacher line.
• Support wildlife rehabilitation centers and Indigenous‑led conservation programs.
• Educate others about the legal and cultural frameworks around eagle parts.

🧭 Final Word

The American fugitive charged with eagle poaching in Alberta case is more than a crime story — it’s a collision of culture, conservation, and cross‑border law enforcement.

Whether you’re an angler, hunter, or wildlife advocate, the message is clear: protecting Alberta’s raptors is a responsibility we all share.