Instagram’s ‘Mr. Adventure’ accused of illegally killing bears in Yukon

An outdoor social media influencer with millions of followers is accused of lying to obtain a Yukon hunting licence, going on a hunting spree and illegally killing several bears over a single week, according to court documents.

Tristan James Hamm, 32, who goes by "Mr. Adventure" on Instagram, describes himself as an outdoor connoisseur, animal lover, adventure athlete and entrepreneur.

Hamm has over two million followers on Instagram, with photos of him rock climbing, hiking, boxing and riding horseback, though his account became private Wednesday morning.

He's now facing 19 charges including both territorial and federal offences, accused of killing two Yukon black bears and a grizzly.

Court documents allege Hamm provided false or misleading information to obtain a Yukon resident hunting licence. He's charged with illegally killing a black bear on Bove Island, not far from Carcross on May 17. Hamm is accused of killing a black bear later that month on May 19, at Dry Creek, in western Yukon. Then on May 21, court documents say he killed a grizzly bear near Kluane Lake.

Hamm is also facing charges related to exporting remains of two black bears and a grizzly outside the country this past summer.

All 19 of the charges have not been proven in court. Hamm is not in custody and the case will come before the Yukon territorial court in January.

CBC reached out to Hamm for comment but did not hear back. CBC also asked Hamm's lawyer if the accused is in Whitehorse and the lawyer said he is not at liberty to say.

Hearing about the charges, wildlife advocate Sue Greetham told CBC she's outraged.

"I just have a sinking feeling in my stomach, my heart just about breaks and I get goosebumps all over me, it's just the saddest thing," she said.

Greetham is the president of Grizzly Bear Protection Yukon, an advocacy group calling for more protection of bears. She says she opposes trophy hunting and hopes for stronger regulation around legal hunting.

As for illegal hunting, Greetham says anyone found guilty of illegal hunting should be made an example — a warning to others.

"I want it to be a significant message sent. I think the fines should be raised, I think there should be jail terms for such egregious criminal activity regarding wildlife, I just don't understand it."