Hunting From A Vehicle Proves Costly
A Hanover man has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to shooting a moose from on top of an all-terrain vehicle, and obstructing a conservation officer.
Ryan Hamilton pleaded guilty to the offences under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Court heard that on November 13, 2008, Hamilton was moose hunting in Beardmore Township near Kapuskasing. Through an investigation that included the services of a canine unit, conservation officers determined that Hamilton had shot a moose from a 15-foot stand fastened onto the roof of an all-terrain vehicle. Hamilton tried to cover up the act by lying and obstructing conservation officers. The moose was forfeited to the Crown.
A person in an area usually inhabited by wildlife may not have a loaded firearm or discharge a firearm from a motor vehicle, with exceptions for disabled hunters. A vehicle includes all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and anything towed by a vehicle.
Justice of the Peace Delores Boyuk heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kapuskasing, on November 18, 2009.
For more information on hunting regulations, please consult the 2009 Hunting Regulations Summary available from licence issuers, ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and on the ministry’s website at ontario.ca/hunting.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Ken Ukrainetz, Hearst Enforcement Unit, 705-372-2220
