Alaska Department Of Public Safety,State Troopers Public Information Office

Dispatch Text:

On 2/4/2021 AWT was notified of an injured muskox on Nelson Island. AWT responded to Nelson Island later on 2/4/2021 with Bethel based ADF&G biologist and USFWS pilot in a USFWS ski equipped Cessna 185 to search for the injured muskox. After locating the animal, it was dispatched because it had a broken front leg.  The edible meat salvaged and later donated to a charity in Bethel. Subsequent investigation showed KANEN THERCHIK 22 of Toksook Bay had negligently taken the mature bull muskox via unlawful methods of taking game; specifically by using his snow machine to harass it for a reported 10-15 minutes and to the point the bull charged Therchick colliding with him and his snowmachine the result of which was the bull sustained a broken front right leg. Therchik was issued a summons to appear in the Bethel District Court.