October 22, 2008

Charges Laid During Opening Weekend of Moose Hunting Season

Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers laid 40 charges against hunters and anglers during the first three days of the moose-hunting season in the Thunder Bay area.
 
From October 11 to 13, six conservation officers, including the canine unit and two deputies, checked 314 hunters in Wildlife Management Unit 15B, in the Highway 811 area about 150 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay.  In addition to the charges, the officers also issued 30 warnings and seized a variety of items including firearms.  They arrested a man for possession of a variety of narcotics and turned him over to the Ontario Provincial Police.
 
Some of the charges and warnings were as follows:

• 12 charges and 10 warnings for failing to wear a proper helmet for an off-road vehicle
• Nine warnings for failing to attach a validation tag to a game seal prior to the hunt
• Eight charges of illegally having a loaded firearm in a vehicle
• Five charges and one warning relating to hunting without possessing all necessary components of a licence 
• Three charges and one warning for having an unencased firearm after dark
• Three charges of possessing an over limit of fish
• Two charges of discharging a firearm from a roadway
• Two charges of having alcohol in a vehicle
• Two charges of abandoning bear meat suitable for food
• One charge of failing to stop for a Conservation Officer
• One charge of non-resident camping on Crown land without a permit
• One charge of possessing another person’s seal while hunting.

Officers also seized a white-tailed deer head that had been illegally imported into Ontario from Manitoba.  Due to concerns about introducing Chronic Wasting Disease into the province, it is against the law to import deer or elk into Ontario unless special precautions are taken.

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours.  You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For further information:
Gord Johnson, Thunder Bay District, 807-475-1126
Dave Hiscox, Thunder Bay District, 807-475-1139