An Illinois man has been fined $2,000 for shooting a moose from a road and leaving the carcass to spoil.
Michael Steward of Belvidere, Illinois, pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm on or across a road and abandoning the moose carcass. In addition to the fine, Steward is banned from hunting in Ontario for two years.
Court heard that on September 22, 2008, conservation officers were contacted about an abandoned moose on Trail Lake Road near Armstrong. An investigation involving the ministry’s canine unit, information from the public, forensic ballistic evidence and assistance from the Illinois Conservation Police revealed that Steward had shot and killed a bull moose from the road. He had a bull tag, but said he was unsure if it was legal to shoot from a road. He abandoned the animal.
Justice of the Peace Ray Zuliani heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on December 1, 2010.
The ministry reminds hunters that it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road.
It is also an offence to leave the flesh of a game animal to spoil. Hunters should contact the TIPS-MNR line or a conservation officer if they kill an animal by mistake.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free 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).
David Hiscox, Thunder Bay District, 807-475-1193
