Conservation officers are hoping a hefty fine handed to a man who shot an elk near Gold River will send a message to other would-be poachers.

Lower Mainland resident Xiao Zheng pleaded guilty in Richmond provincial court to hunting during a closed season, hunting without a licence and leaving the edible portions of an animal.

He was fined $9,001, of which $9,000 will go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.

"It's a very significant fine," said Ben York, a sergeant with the Conservation Officer Service.

In addition, Zheng was ordered to forfeit gear confiscated by conservation officers at the time of the elk shooting.

"That's between $5,000 and $6,000 worth of gear. There was a rifle, hunting clothes, a GPS, two-way radios and hunting knives -- anything that was used in the commission of the offence," York said.

Zheng and two others were charged after forestry workers in the woods near Gold River last December saw three men shoot and kill a bull elk in a closed area, during the closed season, and called RCMP and conservation officers.

The men were intercepted and all three were charged, said York. However, Zheng admitted being the shooter, so it is not known whether the other two charges will proceed.

Elk herds around Gold River are intensively managed and there is only a small, limited-entry hunt, York said.

To report poaching or pollution, phone 1-877-952-RAPP (7277)

jlavoie@tc.canwest.com