Two Ninilchik men charged in alleged illegal bull moose harvest on Brody Road trails

Two Ninilchik men, ages 50 and 44, face a combined eight misdemeanors after Alaska Wildlife Troopers accused them of illegally taking a 35.75-inch bull moose on the Brody Road trail system during a motorized closure. The 50-year-old also faces three bailable citations.

Soldotna Wildlife Troopers contacted the men at about 12:37 a.m. on Sept. 16, according to trooper dispatch AK26091952, posted Tuesday. Troopers said the 50-year-old had shot and concealed the bull and was heading back to his residence during the closure. They also said both men were trespassing and committed other crimes tied to the harvest.

Court records show the 50-year-old faces five misdemeanors: use of a motorized vehicle in the Lower Kenai Controlled Use Area, violating Unit 15 moose season and bag limits, unlawful possession or transportation of game, first-degree criminal trespass and improper use of vehicle registration or plates. The 44-year-old faces three: unlawful possession or transportation of game, use of a motorized vehicle in the controlled use area and first-degree criminal trespass. They are due for arraignment at the Homer Courthouse, the 44-year-old on Oct. 14 and the 50-year-old on Oct. 21.

The controlled use area, in Unit 15C, is closed to motorized vehicles used for big game hunting, including hauling hunters, gear or meat, Sept. 16 through 19 and Sept. 22 through 25, according to the state Department of Fish and Game's map of the area. Aircraft and boats are exempt, as are vehicles on platted and improved borough, state or municipal roads, and driveways used for direct access to a home or business. A hunter who leaves that road system in a motorized vehicle during those windows may not hunt big game or transport it until the vehicle is back on the road system.

The account comes from the troopers' dispatch and court charging documents, and neither contains a statement from either man. The department notes that the charges are accusations and that both men are presumed innocent.