$3,500 in fines for illegal night hunting

Two Kenora men have been fined a total of $3,500 for illegal night hunting.
Philip and Norman Mineault pleaded guilty to hunting at night and were fined $1,000 and $2,500 respectively. Philip is also suspended from hunting for one year.
The court heard that on September 22, 2009, the two men were hunting in an area off Highway 105, northeast of Kenora. At 8:30 p.m., approximately 45 minutes after the close of legal hunting, the Mineaults encountered a bull moose on Deer Lake Road. Philip stopped the truck, and Norman got out and shot the moose as it ran away from them down the road. The moose collapsed beside the road. Almost immediately, two vehicles approached from the opposite direction. The witnesses saw Norman shoot the wounded moose again. They reported the incident to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and an investigation was initiated.
As a Status First Nation individual, Norman Mineault is entitled to certain exemptions from the provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. However, those exercising their aboriginal right to hunt must do so in a safe manner.
Justice of the Peace Robert H. McNally heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, on October 4, 2011.
The ministry reminds the public that it is illegal to hunt at night. You may only hunt from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. It is also illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road when hunting. For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the 2011-2012 Hunting Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/hunting.
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).