Jail Time and Fines for Pair Caught Illegally Hunting Moose in Algonquin Park
Two Quebec residents have been sentenced to jail time, given a driving suspension, probation and $8,000 in fines related to an incident that occurred in Algonquin Provincial Park.
Emily Rose Meness and Norman Chabot, of Maniwaki, Quebec, were met by provincial park wardens on September 29, 2007, in the Radiant Lake area of Algonquin Provincial Park as they were loading an adult bull moose they had just shot into the back of a pickup truck. When confronted, they threatened the park wardens. The park wardens left and called for the assistance of Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers, who called in the OPP.
Chabot and Meness finished loading the moose into the truck and fled the scene before the conservation officers could arrive. The pair then drove into the Hogan Lake area of Algonquin Provincial Park on a logging road in attempt to elude the responding officers.
A conservation officer with the assistance of a park warden found them and took the driver, Chabot, into custody. Meness, however, took control of the truck and fled, almost striking the officers and Chabot with the vehicle.
Another conservation officer and an OPP officer set up a road block using their enforcement vehicles and deployed a spike belt on the only road out of the area. Meness approached at a high rate of speed and sped past the cruisers, striking the spike belt. The officers pursued and came across the disabled vehicle about one kilometre further down the road. Meness initially refused to surrender but was taken into custody after lengthy negotiations.
Chabot pleaded guilty to criminal charges of possession of a controlled substance, breach of probation, uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm and unauthorized possession of a firearm. Justice of the Peace G. Radley Walters heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke, on September 16, 2008, and convicted Chabot on all charges. Chabot was sentenced to 90 days in jail, given a one-year probation and a firearms prohibition with conditions.
Meness pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of unauthorized possession of a firearm and at trial was convicted of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. Justice of the Peace Robert G. Selkirk heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke, on May 5, 2009, and sentenced Meness to 30 days in jail. She was also given a one-year driving suspension.
Chabot also pleaded guilty to provincial charges of unlawfully hunting wildlife in a provincial park, possessing illegally killed wildlife and failing to stop for a conservation officer. Meness pleaded not guilty to the same charges. Justice of the Peace Nancy Mitchell heard the cases on June 22, 2009, in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke. Chabot and Meness were convicted on all counts and fined a total of $8,000. Their rifles and the moose were forfeited to the Crown.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact the Pembroke District office at 613-732-3661 during regular business hours. You can also call Crime stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.
Alan Sullivan, Pembroke District, 613-732-5592
Tim Eastman, Algonquin Provincial Park, 613-637-2780
