The Mounties say one of their officers tried to shoot a caribou while on duty

A wild caribou roams the tundra near The Meadowbank Gold Mine located in the Nunavut Territory of Canada on March 25, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

WINNIPEG -

RCMP say one of their officers in northern Manitoba tried to hunt a caribou while on duty.

The Mounties say the officer was driving in a marked vehicle in March of last year on a winter road near Bunibonibee Cree Nation when he came across a caribou.

The Mounties allege the constable used his patrol-issued rifle from his police vehicle and discharged two rounds at the animal, but struck the police vehicle instead.

The caribou was not injured and an investigation that included conservation officers began after the officer returned to the detachment.

Karl Tabares-Chevarie, who is 34, was charged this week with hunting without a licence and using a prohibited firearm in a careless manner.

The Mounties say he resigned and was discharged from the RCMP in June

   This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2023