Hunters hit the mark during annual Dease Lake and Atlin inspections

October 20, 2026 - Dease Lake, Atlin, British Columbia
From: Dease Lake RCMP

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A joint operation between the Dease Lake RCMP, Atlin RCMP and B.C. Conservation Officers from that region is being hailed as another success this year. 

The annual hunting inspection, known locally as “Operation Swamp Donkey” is spearheaded by B.C. Conservation Officers out of Dease Lake and Atlin. Every year, they utilize the RCMP Air Services float plane to visit many of the isolated lakes in their mutually large jurisdiction, to conduct compliance checks on hunting regulations and, when necessary, conduct Criminal Code, firearms and environmental checks, as well. During these enforcement actions, RCMP officers are out to provide support for the Conservation Officers’ activities. 

This year, RCMP Constables Darren Maizis and Cara Volz and RCMP Reserve Constable Claudia Wytrwal joined Conservation Officers from the Skeena region to conduct the checks.

Patrols were conducted between September 26 and October 1, 2026, with the officers patrolling approximately 40 lakes and speaking with 31 hunters located in the area. This resulted in 23 violation tickets and 20 warnings being issued for a variety of offenses, though overall most hunters were found to be following the regulations. 

“RCMP and B.C. Conservation Officers would like to remind all hunters to carry photo I.D. with them while hunting, and to ensure that life jackets for each occupant are on board your water vessel. Additionally, all firearms must remain unloaded while the watercraft is under power,” states Corporal Jennifer Cooper, BCRCMP Spokesperson for Northern B.C.

The B.C. Conservation Service and North District RCMP want to thank all those who engaged respectfully with our officers during this operation. We’ll see you again next year!

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