An avid Yukon hunter has been fined $7,500 and banned from hunting for four years for wasting moose meat and failing to affix the appropriate seal to the animal.

Edward Bernier pleaded guilty to both charges in territorial court last week.

Bernier was with a friend when he shot and killed a bull moose while riding an ATV near the Faro mine in September 2012.

According to the witnesses who later called conservation officers, Bernier shot the moose, walked up to it, then left, the court heard.

Prosecutor Lee Kirkpatrick described the animal as a "trophy moose” with 65-inch horns.

Conservation officers went to the site the next day after having been tipped off by the witnesses. They found the moose half-buried by a bear. The meat was destroyed.

While the officers were taking notes at the scene, the grizzly bear returned to the kill, the court heard. The animal got within about 11 metres of the officers before leaving.

Bernier has said he could not find the moose when he went back to collect it, Kirkpatrick told the court.

But she pointed out that the conservation officers had no problem finding the kill.

Kirkpatrick read from a website which names Bernier as a guide for moose hunts. In court, Bernier denied ever working as a guide.

Defence lawyer Nicholas Weigelt, who appeared over the phone from Vancouver, said Bernier was acting out of character when he failed to retrieve the meat and was very remorseful.

In 28 years of hunting, Bernier has received only one very old ticket.

Kirkpatrick said Bernier was very co-operative and decided to plead guilty at the earliest possible opportunity.

In making his ruling, Judge Michael Cozens ruled Bernier is an "experienced hunter who should have known better.”

Along with the $7,500, Bernier has also been fined $1,125 in surcharges. He was given a year to pay.