Big fines levied against men for illegal hunting

News Release
MNR

John Ireland of Everett, Ontario, was convicted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and fined $2,000 for unlawfully hunting cow moose. His firearm was seized and will be returned once his fine is paid.
Court heard that on October 10, 2009, Ireland shot a cow moose, but was unaware of the whereabouts of any of the other seven hunters in his hunting party, including the hunter who had the valid cow moose game seal tag. Ireland could not communicate with any member of his party, all of whom were more than five kilometres away from him. Ireland finally alerted his hunting party of the harvested moose when they picked him up, three hours after he shot it. A Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer contacted the hunting party at a roadside check and officers later contacted Everett when they patrolled the area.
The ministry reminds hunters that the person who kills wildlife while hunting in a party must immediately notify all other members of the party, and the game seal holder must immediately affix the game seal to the wildlife. Each member of the party must be able to reliably and immediately communicate with the other members and hunt within five kilometres of the person who holds the valid game seal.
Justice of the Peace Daisy Hoppe heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Dryden, on December 15, 2009.
Dennis Majewski of Goodman, and Sean Meier of Green Bay, were both charged under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and fined $2,000 and $1,000 respectively for hunting at night. Majewski was also fined $500 for shooting from a roadway and is prohibited from hunting in Ontario for three years. His firearm was seized and will be returned once his fines are paid. Meier cannot hunt in Ontario for one year.
Court heard that on November 8, 2009, the men were driving on Mafeking Road, north of Dryden, more than hour after the legal hunting time. Meier parked his truck in the middle of the road, using his headlights to illuminate a deer standing in the ditch. Majewski got out and stood in front of the truck, loaded his firearm and shot the buck deer decoy. Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers arrested the hunters at the scene and released them with summons for their violations.
Justice of the Peace Daisy Hoppe heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Dryden, on December 15, 2009.
The public is reminded that it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a road while hunting.
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).