Former influencer 'Mr. Adventure' fined $30K for illegally killing bears in Yukon

A former influencer who illegally shot three bears has been fined $30,000 in Yukon Territorial Court.

Tristan Hamm pleaded guilty to three charges under the territory's Wildlife Act on Thursday, appearing in court by video from outside the territory. Other charges Hamm was facing in relation to this incident were dismissed.

Hamm admitted he was not a Yukon resident when he purchased a Yukon resident hunting licence and killed two black bears and a grizzly bear over a five-day period in May 2023. 

The 29-year-old was an influencer at the time, with two million followers on Instagram under the moniker "Mr. Adventure." His Instagram account was set to private in November 2023 after he was charged in the Yukon and he publicly transitioned to professional boxing in January 2024.

Hamm lives outside of the territory for work, but considers himself a Yukoner, the court heard. His father and siblings live in the Yukon. In his written submission to the court, Hamm said he was not trophy hunting. 

"I'm heartbroken over this situation," Hamm told the court on Thursday. "I assure you all that I'll be extremely careful with licensing regulations in the future."

$30K fine will be a partial donation

Hamm was ordered to pay half of his $30,000 fine to the territory's conservation fund.

He is also banned from hunting in the Yukon for two years. He's banned from accompanying a guided hunt for a further period of three years; which means he can only become eligible for a hunting licence in that period if he actually moves to the Yukon.

Judge Katherine McLeod said she understands the penalty has severely affected Hamm "financially, emotionally and physically," noting the damage to his reputation, ability to make a living and hunt with his family in the coming years.

Still, McLeod told Hamm he should have known better. She said the penalty should deter others from skirting the rules. Both counsel submissions said that strictly regulating resident hunting licences is important for conservation efforts. 

"It's such a precious commodity for the Yukon … that cheaters are not welcome," McLeod said.